About

Scottish Opera and Gartnavel General Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Service have been working together since early 2013 to explore whether learning classical singing techniques, including breath control, can improve the wellbeing of cystic fibrosis patients. Due to the high risk of infection for those with cystic fibrosis, the project also explored how patients might interact safely with each other, using the internet as a means of meeting, learning and building new communities.        

The project contained both clinical and artistic research strands. A team from Scottish Opera worked with patients in the respiratory ward at Gartnavel, many of whom were new to singing, providing one-to-one singing lessons, online video tutorials, feedback sessions and opportunities to interact online with fellow participants. As part of this work, Scottish Opera’s Composer in Residence Dr Gareth Williams has created bespoke singing exercises and, with librettist David James Brock  has written songs both for individuals and larger groups, inspired by participants and their experiences. Exploring the limits and possibilities for those with more fragile voices, these reflect the challenges faced by people with cystic fibrosis when singing, breathing and even talking.

Alongside this, Consultant Physician in Cystic Fibrosis and Respiratory Medicine Dr Gordon MacGregor tested the impact on participants of regular singing – both in terms of physical and mental wellbeing – and Dr Rachel Drury, a specialist in music education, has been researching the impact of vocal training on patients’ musical development and identity. The results of this research will be posted here soon.

The Breath Cycle story is displayed on this website through song, film, interviews, rehearsals, statistics, manuscript and testimonial. The songs and exercises are available here to listen to and sing along with, and there are some basic tutorials to watch from our vocal coach, Marie Claire Breen.

We hope you enjoy exploring the site and the creative output. Try the exercises and let us know what you think!    

Participant Interviews

Team Biographies