A leading light of a north-east opera group is preparing to bow out in style after helping shape it for the past 30 years.
Alice Dennis has been the musical director for the Haddo House Choral and Operatic Society (HHCOS) for almost a decade.
But Saturday’s modern interpretation of Verdi’s La Traviata will be the final production she is involved in.
The show is a collaboration between the HHCOS, director Jack Furness and Scottish Opera conductor Susannah Wapshott.
Mrs Dennis is the chorus director and producer for the production, and said Saturday’s finale would be an “emotional” one for her after so many years with the group.
The 56-year-old started out with the HHCOS in 1990, taking the helm of its youth section before spending 14 years as the chorus director and the past eight years in her current role.
Her husband, Jerry Dennis, also recently stepped down as chairman of the society.
Mrs Dennis, of Balmedie, said: “I am taking a back seat for this one. Once the performance starts I’ll be able to sit back and enjoy watching them all on stage.
“I am still working with the choirs at the moment and I am doing all the running things behind the scenes. It will be an emotional last night.
“It is not just me, my husband was the chairman for many years and my son helped run things as well, and he has moved away. We have been running it almost as a family for many years.
“Haddo is fairly unique being one of the only choral societies that puts in professionals alongside amateurs.
“La Traviata is probably the most popular opera ever, it was written by (Giuseppe) Verdi.
“It is being brought into a modern setting by our director, Jack.”
Among the many talented artists Mrs Dennis has trained during her time in the role is her own daughter, soprano Eleanor Dennis.
She added: “Theatre is special and the theatre is special there, with the fact Haddo House is such a lovely place to visit. I am hoping it will go from strength to strength as am I handing over. I will miss it badly. I have been very lucky.”
La Traviata will be shown at the Haddo House Hall at 7.30pm on both Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15. Tickets cost £22, or £15 for those under-26, and can be purchased at www.hhcos.org.uk or by calling 0333 333 6633.
