Opera for toddlers at Tête à Tête

8 August 2012, 17:33 | Updated: 8 August 2012, 17:36

Who said opera was only for adults? Scottish Opera are bringing classical music to a new audience in 'SensoryO' at the Tête à Tête festival, for toddlers up to the age of three.

Opera may seem a purely adult pursuit due to its passionate story lines or tragic deaths, but Scottish Opera and composer Rachel Drury are hoping change this. They are aiming to capture a younger audience with their new opera for toddlers, SensoryO, being performed this weekend at the Tête à Tête festival.

The 30 minute interactive show uses sounds, rhythms, and music to entertain the kids and introduce them to live performance in an informal setting. It's aimed at toddlers aged between 18 and 36 months, and features singers dressed in pyjamas, a friendly singing lion and a colourful train ride through the jungle.

Drury said: "The idea is that they can engage with what's going on with the music, but in a very calm way, which is different from their experience of music elsewhere."

Scottish Opera have performed for an even younger audience in the past. BabyO was aimed at six to 18-month-olds, and is now being shown in festivals around the world from Manchester to New Zealand. It's now one of the most requested shows in Scottish Opera's repertoire.

Both operas are touring with the Welsh National Opera in September.