Alfred Anderson ( 10 of 10 )
represented the generation of young Scots who fought in the First World War, and endured unimaginable horrors.
represented the generation of young Scots who fought in the First World War, and endured unimaginable horrors.
Even with their combined support, the cost of mounting a production has proved to be too much. We have continued read more
Even with their combined support, the cost of mounting a production has proved to be too much. We have continued to do fine productions, and I've found it even more challenging because we have to adapt productions to the recital stage, and yet we're doing full productions with sets, lights and everything.
We would do a tour into the elementary schools every year, and then we did another kind of program where read more
We would do a tour into the elementary schools every year, and then we did another kind of program where upper level students were brought into E.J. Thomas for a performance. What the Children's Concert Society did was share the cost with us, so although we were just doing excerpts, we could do it in a full production sense with orchestra and costumes.
But there was a dead silence that morning, right across the land as far as you could see. We shouted read more
But there was a dead silence that morning, right across the land as far as you could see. We shouted 'Merry Christmas,' even though nobody felt merry. The silence ended early in the afternoon and the killing started again. It was a short peace in a terrible war.
I remember the silence, the eerie sound of silence.
I remember the silence, the eerie sound of silence.
I couldn't ask for a more wonderful opera to end my tenure.
I couldn't ask for a more wonderful opera to end my tenure.
All three of us had a vision for an exceptional opera program.
All three of us had a vision for an exceptional opera program.
All I'd heard for two months in the trenches was the hissing, cracking and whining of bullets in flight, machine-gun read more
All I'd heard for two months in the trenches was the hissing, cracking and whining of bullets in flight, machine-gun fire and distant German voices.
Many of them made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and we must never forget what they have given to read more
Many of them made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and we must never forget what they have given to us.
I'd like the chance to do a little more performing before I become too old.
I'd like the chance to do a little more performing before I become too old.