News - RSNO present Peter and the Wolf Animation

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) brings the Oscar-winning animated film Peter and the Wolf to Glasgow in June...

On Saturday 18 June (11.00am and 2.00pm) at the RSNO’s New Auditorium, Glasgow, Scotland’s national orchestra presents Peter and the Wolf with a screening of British director Suzie Templeton’s Oscar-winning film. This will be the final performances for RSNO Associate Conductor Jean-Claude Picard, whose tenure concludes this summer.

The idea to create a new film version of the Peter and The Wolf story came from conductor Mark Stephenson. His vision was for a film which would synchronise with Prokofiev’s much-loved score. allowing orchestras around the world to show the film during a live concert performance of the music.

He discussed the idea with producer Hugh Welchman who approached animation director Suzie Templeton, the beginning of the journey to create a future animation classic which took five years to complete.

The film project started to gather artistic and financial support, especially from Channel 4 TV and the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA). By bringing the Polish stop-motion specialist, Se-ma-for Studios, onto the team the producers were able to secure an experienced animation team as well as invaluable financial support from the Polish Film Institute.

Glasgow-based investment firm Kreis Consulting Ltd were impressed by the project and assisted in raising a third of the final production budget. A new production company was established – BreakThru Peter Ltd. The balance of funding required was raised in Switzerland through Archangel SA, a Kreis group company.

With the funding secured, the artistic team set about their work and the film premiered at the Royal Albert Hall in September 2006 with Mark Stephenson conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra. The film was met with critical acclaim, both from audiences and film industry insiders, and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Short Animated Film in 2008.

Co-founder of Kreis Consulting, Christopher McGinty: “As a former member of the RSNO Chorus I’m blessed with a reasonable understanding of what works for professional orchestras. When this project was first proposed it struck me that my company could help direct the funding required to complete the production. I’m proud that a Glasgow-based business played a part in the realisation of an Academy-award winning film. As the animation approaches its tenth anniversary it’s gratifying that the film will be screened with Scotland’s national orchestra, an ensemble I performed with for many years.”

Peter and the Wolf is for children aged seven and over and their families/guardians. Prior to each performance there will be craft sessions held at the RSNO Centre for audience members, as well as Instrument Petting Zoos, an opportunity for children to interact with RSNO musicians and try out various orchestral instruments, including violins, cellos and trombones.

For more information visit www.rsno.org.uk.

Image - RSNO website