to Scottish Opera to Scottish Will agiftinyour Leaving Dame Janet Baker Circle Welcome I first heard Scottish Opera on the radio and I instantly felt that there was something quite special going on – something I would very much like to be involved in. Shortly after, I was invited to perform with the Company. My first role was Dorabella in Così fan tutte. I loved performing in Così and many other productions and, because of this, Scottish Opera holds a very dear place in my heart. If your life too has been touched by Scottish Opera, I do hope you will join me in supporting the Company through a gift in your Will. As a special thank you, I invite you to join the Dame Janet Baker Circle – a group of people who, linked by their love of opera, enjoy a close relationship with Scottish Opera in their lifetime, and help ensure its continued success in the future. Dame Janet Baker Dame Janet Baker in Così fan tutte, 1975 (second left) The Rake’s Progress, 2012 Why do we need gifts in Wills? For more than 50 years Scottish Opera has been the beating heart of opera in Scotland, bringing entertainment, joy and exhilarating experiences to young and old. As a charity, Scottish Opera relies on support to deliver its breadth of activity. We receive two thirds of our income from the Scottish Government with the balance coming from ticket sales, trusts and foundations, earned income and donations, including gifts in Wills. The gifts we receive in Wills play a vital role in supporting our activity and making opera accessible to all. If Scottish Opera has played a part in your life, please consider leaving the Company a gift in your Will. Sir Thomas Allen and Jamie MacDougall, Ariadne auf Naxos, 2018 “ The course of my life changed dramatically when I discovered I had a voice, and that people wanted to hear me sing. Your life too is enhanced by the pleasure of hearing singing, and seeing productions of the highest quality. You can ensure that experience continues to grow by remembering Scottish Opera with a gift in your Will.” Scottish Opera’s Pop-up Sir Thomas Allen, Baritone and Scottish Opera Music Advisor Opera in a HGV trailer, 2015 What could my gift support? Gifts left in Wills to Scottish Opera support the great breadth of our activity and are directed to the Scottish Opera Endowment Trust. The Endowment Trust invests these gifts carefully, gradually growing the capital and generating income to support the Company where we need it most. This ensures your gift will help sustain Scottish Opera for generations to come. Established in 1971, the Scottish Opera Endowment Trust has helped to make – and continues to make – innumerable projects and productions possible; these are just a few: • Main Stage Productions – Performances of full-scale opera in major venues throughout Scotland and beyond • Supporting Young Talent – Young singers, repetiteurs, costume makers and composers • Scottish Opera’s Production Studios – Where the magic begins and our artisans build, paint and create our sets, props, costumes and wigs • World-class Outreach and Education Work – Including primary school tours and dementia friendly workshops • New Opera Commissions and Premieres – Exciting, original work from new creative teams “ It has been my privilege to watch and help foster the growth of the Endowment Trust in recent years thanks to gifts in Wills. Our long term goal is to use this growth to help realise artistically ambitious projects and expand our reach even further. But to get there, we’ll need your help.” Alex Reedijk, Scottish Opera General Director Madama Butterfly,2014 A snapshot of all that we are able to achieve Emerging Artists thanks to the Scottish Opera Endowment Trust. A gift in your Will can help us accomplish even more. Dementia friendly workshop Primary Schools Tour Five:15 Operas Made in Scotland La traviata, 2017 The Devil Inside, 2016 BambinO, 2017 How do I leave a gift in my Will? Ways you can remember Scottish Opera in your Will: Through a gift in your Will, Scottish Opera can continue the work to fulfil Sir Alexander Gibson’s vision. • A residuary gift – a percentage, or the remainder, of your estate after other wishes have been met • A pecuniary gift – a specific sum of money. Making a Will for the first time We would advise you to consult a qualified solicitor and appoint executors to ensure your wishes are fulfilled correctly. You can find a solicitor near you by searching the Law Society’s website. “ to lay the If you already have a Will If you would like to include a gift to Scottish Opera, you can add a codicil with the help of your solicitor. A codicil allows you to update your existing Will without the need to re-write it. treasures of Your solicitor will need the following information: Scottish Opera 39 Elmbank Crescent, opera at the feet Glasgow G2 4PT Scottish Charity Number SC019787 Reduce your inheritance tax Your gift will be exempt from inheritance tax and could help to of the people reduce the tax burden on your estate. In all cases, we advise you to consult your solicitor. of Scotland.” Sir Alexander Gibson, Scottish Opera founder and first Music Director (1962-87) Image/photography credits © Mark Hamilton – page 2, 5 © Neil Gillespie – page 3 © Richard Campbell – page 4, 8, 9 © KK Dundas – page 6 © James Glossop – page 7, 8, 9 © Jane Hobson – page 9 © Sally Jubb – page 9 © Liz Lees – page 9 © Bill Cooper – page 9 © Ken Dundas – page 11 Dame Janet Baker CH, DBE Dame Janet’s career on stage, on the concert platform and in the recording studio earned her recognition as one of the most distinguished artists that Britain has ever produced. During her early career, she was a much-loved and respected singer with Scottish Opera, acclaimed for her performances of Dorabella in Così fan tutte, Dido in The Trojans, Count Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier and The Composer in Ariadne auf Naxos. This led to a close friendship with Scottish Opera founder, Sir Alexander Gibson, and his family. Honoured in many countries, she was made CBE in 1970, DBE in 1979 and a Companion of Honour in 1994 in recognition of her contribution to music. scottishopera.org.uk Registered in Scotland Number SC037531 Scottish Charity Number SC019787 Registered Office: 39 Elmbank Crescent, Glasgow G2 4PT.