Glasgow Distillery Hosts World Premiere Of Opera Inspired By Scotland’s Distilling Industry!

Navigate the Blood – inspired by the distilling industry in Scotland

The Glasgow Distillery Company, creators of the award-winning Makar Gin range and the new 1770 Glasgow Single Malt Scotch Whisky, hosted the world premiere of the brand new opera, Navigate the Blood with two sold-out performances on 2nd and 3rd November.

The opera premiered with two sold-out performances

Written by Sian Evans and composed by Gareth Williams (306, Dawn, Hirda, The Sloans Project) and Scottish indie-folk band Admiral Fallow, the story is inspired by the distilling industry in Scotland, and is set against the industrial backdrop of one of the country’s oldest trades.

Set in a small family distillery, Navigate the Blood follows a couple whose son, Liam, has disappeared in mysterious circumstances.

The opera, presented by NOISE – New Opera In Scotland Events, opened in the copper surroundings of one of Glasgow’s most exciting spirits producers, Glasgow Distillery, and will continue on touring distilleries throughout Scotland for the remainder of the month.

Kicking off in the innovative new spirits hub of Glasgow, before travelling to the distilling regions of the Lowlands, Islay, Highlands, and Islands, the opera aims to attract indie fans and opera aficionados alike. Touring areas where there is no accessible opera house, Navigate the Blood will give many people an opportunity to see live opera for the first time.

A meeting between Liam Hughes, co-founder of Glasgow Distillery, and composer Gareth Williams, who both grew up in Armagh, laid the foundations for one of the industry’s most unusual collaborations. The two were intrigued by Gareth’s previous work, The Sloans Opera, which journeys through the Glasgow landmark Sloans bar; and the parallels with Liam’s work at Glasgow Distillery. From that conversation, ‘The Distilling Project’, which would later become Navigate The Blood, was born.

At Glasgow Distillery, we value creativity and innovation. It’s at the heart of everything we do, so we’re proud to team up with NOISE and Admiral Fallow for Navigate the Blood.

This exciting new opera in an unconventional setting is a fitting tribute to the distilling industry. The juxtapision of old and new, polished and industrial, reflects the industry in the modern day. We were proud to host the world premiere of Navigate the Blood, and welcome guests to our distillery for two, unmissable nights.
– Liam Hughes: Co-founder of The Glasgow Distillery Company

Navigate the Blood continues a tour of seven distilleries throughout Scotland with Oban set to host the next performance on 8th November; before finishing at Speyside Gins at La Lanterna in Aviemore on 25th November.