Scottish Opera's Breath Cycle Preview Performance at College: An Insight Into Arts, Culture, and Performance

City of Glasgow College recently hosted a unique and transformative preview performance of Breath Cycle: A Story of Healing, the groundbreaking health and arts initiative by Scottish Opera. This performance, which took place at the College, offered a moving insight into a project designed to support individuals suffering from lung conditions through the healing power of music and song.

Through this collaboration, students gained invaluable practical experience while developing their skills in preparation for a future in the arts, culture, and performance industries. This partnership aims at enhancing student engagement and employability in a professional and supportive environment.

The Breath Cycle project, which began in 2013 in collaboration with Gartnavel General Hospital’s West of Scotland Adult Cystic Fibrosis Unit, has since evolved to support a wider group of individuals, including those living with Long COVID. The intimate performance, featuring a talented ensemble led by award-winning composer Gareth Williams and writer Martin O’Connor, showcased a selection of original songs written by participants in workshops over the past three years. These songs, performed by operatic tenor David Douglas, actor-songwriter Frances Thorburn, and Louis Abbott of Admiral Fallow, reflect the lived experiences of individuals coping with respiratory illnesses.

For BA (Hons) Photography student Mary Dillon who was performance photographer on the day, the experience was transformative. “I have gained valuable insight into working life through my time with Scottish Opera. The experience has been revolutionary in opening opportunities for me and has helped me to understand my place as a photographer looking to enter the arts. Both the College and Scottish Opera have been very supportive of my work, creating an open and encouraging environment that has helped me to find photographic independence. The experience of photographing the Breath Cycle event will stay with me for a long time. Gaining access to such a moving show and becoming a small part of it through taking images has been very personal and special to me.”

The collaboration between Scottish Opera and City of Glasgow College is one of many steps towards providing students with the tools to succeed in broadcasting and media. The event also highlighted the therapeutic effects of Breath Cycle, raising awareness of respiratory health issues while empowering individuals to share their healing stories through the transformative power of music.