Audio Description
Mention opera and most people think of singing and music – but this is only part of the overall experience. What about scenery, costumes, lighting, direction and choreography?
For those who are visually impaired, our audio description service provides a live commentary during the show, relating the action on stage without compromising the music. As part of the experience, a recorded introduction to the opera is available in advance, as well as a live audio introduction before the start of the performance.
You can book tickets for audio-described performances via the venue box offices.
When you arrive at your chosen performance please make yourself known to a member of the Front of House team and they will provide you with your audio description headset.
Guide dogs are welcome at all of our venues.
Coming up

The Barber of Seville
RossiniRevival of the 2007 production

Access: The Barber of Seville
Access performanceSpecially created for those who enjoy a more relaxed opera experience
Audio Described Performances
Season 2023/24
The Barber of Seville
Theatre Royal Glasgow - 28 October 2023, 7.15pm
Festival Theatre Edinburgh - 11 November 2023, 7.15pm
Eden Court, Inverness - 18 November 2023, 7.15pm
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen - 25 November 2023, 7.15pm
Marx in London!
Theatre Royal Glasgow - 17 February 2024, 7.15pm
Festival Theatre Edinburgh - 24 February 2024, 7.15pm
La traviata
Theatre Royal Glasgow - 18 May 2024, 7.15pm
Eden Court, Inverness - 25 May 2024, 7.15pm
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen - 1 June 2024, 7.15pm
Festival Theatre Edinburgh - 15 June 2024, 7.15pm
Our Access Opera performances are also audio-described - find out more>>
For more information, please contact Scottish Opera reception on 0141 248 4567 or tickets@scottishopera.org.uk.
Example of a Recorded Audio Introduction
Audio-described resources - Carmen
Albert Herring:
Audio-described resources - Albert Herring 2024 by Scottish Opera
Watch Our Audio Described Films

L'elisir d'amore
Donizetti
Hansel & Gretel
Humperdinck
Cosi fan tutte
Mozart
The Diary of One Who Disappeared
JanáčekInterested in getting involved?
We are always looking for new audio describers to join our dedicated team. If you have some time to spare and would like to find out what is involved, please contact the team using the form below.