A north-east soprano and her conductor mother, who nurtured her musical talent from birth, will appear on stage together for the final time at a popular event next month.
The fifth Haddo Arts Festival, at Haddo House, will begin on Saturday, October 1 with Ellon opera star, Eleanor Dennis, taking centre stage for an opening concert.
Ms Dennis will sing the Mozart Requiem with the Haddo House Choral and Operatic Society, with whom she fostered her talents.
The show is being conducted by her mother, Alice Dennis, in her final appearance as the society’s musical director.
It will mark her retirement after 26 years in the group and the last occasion on which she will work with her 29-year-old daughter.
Former Ellon Academy student, Ms Dennis, is now based in Essex and is currently touring with Scottish Opera for her role in an adaptation of Mozart’s masterpiece, The Marriage of Figaro.
Her mum – organiser of the Haddo Arts Festival since its inception – said: “I have conducted her a few times and it is always very moving, everyone notices the chemistry between us.
“I taught her to sing and we have always been best pals. We have hardly ever fallen out and have a very good relationship.
“I study piano and singing myself. I could tell from an early age that she was going to be a performer.
“She is really supportive of everything I do and was a member of the choral society from the age of three. She has sung with them just about every year since.
“I have chosen pieces that are my favourites.”
The 55-year-old added she was delighted at how far the festival had come in the past five years.
She explained: “It is terrific that it is well attended, because we have well over 1,000 people coming now which is great considering it is classical music.”
The festival’s art exhibition, Visions, will feature work from Nienke Attema, Joyce Cairns, Helen Denerley, Sarah Dunton, Winifred Fergus, Paul Ritchie and Gillian Tyler.
Concerts from tenor Jamie MacDougall and composer Pete Stollery will take place at the Haddo chapel.
And students from the North East of Scotland Music School will also parade their qualities during the festival.
North-east author Stuart McBride will be in attendance for a talk and book signing on the evening of Wednesday, October 5 in Haddo House’s library.
Comedian Jenny Chalmers will return to the festival on the Thursday night, whilst a candlelit Chopin piano recital by top Australian pianist, Piers Lane, will take place on the Friday.
The event will end on Saturday, October 8 with The Elixir of Love, as produced by Scottish Opera.
Tickets are on sale now at www.haddoartsfetsival.org.uk or at 03336 663 366. Any other enquiries to 01651 851 041.
