Myth, ritual, time travel,
science fiction & much more! 3 decades on from its premiere, the BBC SSO, BBC Singers and an outstanding team of soloists performed Michael Tippett's 'New Year', conducted by Martyn Brabbins.

Recorded for BBC Radio 3 & commercial release NMC Recordings

👏 Thank you to our audience, artists & staff involved in last night's production of Tippett's 'New Year' opera, including Stage Director Victoria Newlyn, Ross Ramgobin Rhian Lois Susan Bickley Roland Wood Rob Murray Rachel Nicholls, Alan Oke BBC Singers & conductor Martyn Brabbins.

An absolute pleasure to be with you all last night. What a fantastic evening and team with Martin Brabbins at the helm.

Phenomenally surreal, superb, strange & sci-fi performance (minus the actual spaceship 🚀) of Tippett’s “New Year” tonight BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra BBC Singers plus incredible soloists Rhian Lois Ross Ramgobin Roland Wood Rob Murray Rachel Nicholls et al & conductor Martyn Brabbins! Out of this 🌍

🚀 The 'Presenter' of #MichaelTippett 's New Year opera (tenor Alan Oke) is nestled among the fantastic BBC Singers! It's the final rehearsal with conductor Martyn Brabbins before tonight's performance (7.30pm, Glasgow City Halls)

Performing Jo Ann, Rhian Lois will sing in the concert performance of Tippett's 'New Year' with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra! Toi Toi Toi!

The Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Wales, Dafydd Rhys has called for a national debate on the value of the arts amid fears about the future of the sector due to funding cuts nation.cymru/news/arts-coun…

Directed by Victoria Newlyn, Tippett's opera 'New Year' will feature BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, sopranos Rhian Lois & Rachel Nicholls, mezzo-soprano Susan Bickley, baritones Roland Wood Ross Ramgobin , tenors Rob Murray 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 & conductor Martyn Brabbins: bbc.co.uk/programmes/art…

Directed by Victoria Newlyn, Tippett's opera 'New Year' will feature BBC SSO, BBC Singers, sopranos Rhian Lois & Rachel Nicholls, mezzo-soprano Susan Bickley, baritones Roland Wood Ross Ramgobin, tenors Rob Murray 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 & conductor Martyn Brabbins: bbc.co.uk/programmes/art…

🚀 On 13 April in Glasgow, conductor Martyn Brabbins assembles the BBC SSO, BBC Singers & a stellar team of soloists to record a live, public performance of Sir Michael Tippett's space-age fairytale #opera 'New Year' with NMC Recordings. Read more 👇

bbc.co.uk/programmes/art…

No argument there. Melvyn Bragg in The Times and The Sunday Times today.

“Why can’t the 93% of children in our state schools receive the same musical offering that the 7% in private schools take for granted?”

Lord Bragg quoted Howard Goodall in criticising unequal access to arts education.

Rhian Lois we were fortunate to hear you on Saturday the oratorio was brilliant and thanks for helping introduce us to the works.

“MacMillan’s Christmas Oratorio is an extraordinary masterpiece and it received the ultimate Scottish premiere, an unforgettable emotional and spiritual roller-coaster.” Edinburgh Music Review 🙏🏽 cc James MacMillan Rhian Lois Roderick Williams Royal Scottish National Orchestra Stephen Doughty

edinburghmusicreview.com/reviews/rsno-c…

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Times
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Scotsman
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Arts Desk
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Certain to become one of those 'Were you there?' occasions' The Herald

Incredible reviews for our concert of James MacMillan's Christmas Oratorio with RSNO Chorus, Rhian Lois, Roderick Williams & Paul Whittaker OBE!

“It's rare for a premiere on this scale to make such a strong impression on first hearing, but its structure, intensity and sheer beauty make MacMillan's Christmas Oratorio a winner.”
5⭐️ The Times

Spiritual wonder has audience in wide-eyed delight.
thetimes.co.uk/article/rsnoma…

Oh Jamie that means so much. Thank you for your kind words :)

Rhian Lois Rhian, your solo aria in the second part was sublime: it will stay with me for a very long time.

“certain to become one of those 'Were you there?' occasions… RSNO Chorus on stellar form, director Stephen Doughty and his singers clearly having the measure of the occasion.” 5⭐️ Royal Scottish National Orchestra Roderick Williams Rhian Lois Stephen Doughty

The Ancient Bruce The Herald

heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/…

“Playing a musical instrument gives you skills for life. That’s why I passionately believe we need it back in our schools.” – Sir Keir Starmer

Join Moira Stuart this Sunday at 9pm on Classic FM, as she meets the Leader of the Labour Party. Listen on Global Player.