Ballet and opera figures recognised in honours listing
L
eading figures from the humanities world in Scotland have been recognised within the King’s Birthday Honours listing.
Christopher Hampson, chief govt and creative director of Scottish Ballet, turns into a CBE for providers to bounce.
Peter Lawson, chairman of Scottish Opera, can also be made a CBE for providers to the humanities in Scotland.
Mr Hampson educated on the Royal Ballet School, the place he started his choreographic work which continued whereas he danced with English National Ballet.
He joined Scottish Ballet as creative director in 2012, and was appointed chief govt/creative director in 2015.
Commenting on his royal honour, he informed the PA news company: “I do feel very honoured and I think it’s wonderful to share the recognition with my family, friends and colleagues, and for me the real honour is the opportunity to share all the amazing work we do at Scottish Ballet, so that’s really wonderful too, it helps me shine a light on all the creativity and work we do to make sure the dance world is a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
“I think coming out of lockdown and getting back into theatres and reconnecting with all of our audiences and the wider community in Scotland, that’s just been amazing and that’s really what keeps me going and what keeps the company going, so I feel like this particular recognition really helps me to shine a light on all that we’re doing around Scotland and internationally.
“It does give us that opportunity to just really celebrate what we’re doing at Scottish Ballet.
“I’m in my 50th year this year so it’s been a lovely year to receive it as well.”
Mr Hampson, who lives in Glasgow, is famend for championing feminine choreographers, driving variety within the ballet world, and commissioning ground-breaking movies and digital dance kinds, reaching large worldwide audiences throughout lockdown and past.
As properly as his personal works, similar to The Snow Queen and Cinderella, Scottish Ballet’s repertoire consists of new variations of classics similar to The Crucible and Coppelia, in addition to new commissions by rising choreographers.
One of Mr Hampson’s key focuses is creating in-house expertise via choreographic initiatives.
Scottish Ballet not too long ago received the award for excellent firm on the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards in London.
Mr Lawson is a lawyer and has been concerned in plenty of arts organisations and trusts, each as authorized adviser and as a board member, over a number of many years.
He is a previous chairman of each the Tron Theatre Company and Glasgow Unesco City of Music, and a former committee member of Bafta Scotland.
Mr Lawson, who lives in Glasgow, stated: “I am honoured and delighted to accept the CBE in the 2023 Birthday Honours list.
“I have been very fortunate to have been able to contribute to the cultural scene over the past 40 years, particularly with my chairmanships of the Tron Theatre and currently with Scottish Opera.
“I consider the honour as a recognition of the importance of culture in bettering everyone’s day-to-day life, and also honouring the wonderfully dedicated and talented people with whom I have worked in the arts in Scotland.”