Hundreds packed out an Aberdeen park last night to enjoy a special outdoor performance of a world-class opera.
Duthie Park was transformed into an open-air theatre for the BP Big Screen Event, offered a free showing of La Boheme.
With picnic blankets and camping chairs in tow, the crowds were treated to a live performance beamed directly to the north east by satellite from the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London.
While the glorious sunshine from earlier in the day had succumbed to grey skies and a chill in the air, the event organisers found it was still as popular as ever with large numbers passing through the gates over the course of the evening.
Many of them took the opportunity to enjoy an al fresco tipple with their entertainment, as the city council briefly relaxed its public drinking by-laws to make the park’s scenic surroundings feel even more like a traditional theatre.
The event was first held in Aberdeen in 2004 and has since become a firm favourite for culture lovers of all ages.
Previous outings have included performances of Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata and Puccini’s Tosca, also broadcast from the Royal Opera House.
La Boheme was composed by Giacomo Puccini in 1896 and follows the romance of young poet Rodolfo and seamstress Mimi.
Last night’s performance from the Royal Opera House was conducted by Nicola Luisotti and featured Italian soprano Maria Agresta as Mini and American tenor Matthew Polenzani as Rodolfo.
The screening was one of 15 held across the UK in public squares, plazas and holiday parks, and was the only one in Scotland.
A spokesman from Friends of Duthie Park was pleased to see the space being put to good use for a unique event.
He said: “The opera in Duthie Park is one of the summer highlights in what is such a wonderful venue.”
