Virginia Rushton

Many people on Arran will have fond memories of Virginia Rushton, who died of cancer last week. Virginia ran a community opera company called OperaHouse and came to Arran several times to work on creative projects that ranged from ‘instant opera’ to a detailed voice production workshop for adults.

Virginia herself had a glorious soprano voice but, characteristically, was more interested in sharing her knowledge and expertise than with solo performance. On Arran, together with the composer Andrew Keeling, she worked with children from all round the island to create and perform in a production called ‘Arran Ferry Tales’ in a single week – a task that would have seemed impossible for anyone less talented and generous. In some miraculous way, Virginia shared her own energy and confidence with children who were often startled and suspicious at the beginning of the project but quickly warmed to her. She had an infectious belief that all human beings are inherently creative, and a practicality that over-rode all difficulties. On Arran, confronted by a rebellious girl who said she wanted nothing to do with the proposed project, she said, “That’s fine – you can be the person who wants to wreck the whole show – OK?” And it was OK. The girl ended up confiding that her family had only just come to Arran, and managed to join in and enjoy herself. Virginia never argued and never scolded, and managed to make the project in hand so fascinating that everybody ended up getting deeply and enjoyably involved.

Creating operas wherever she went, often in a ridiculously short time because of limited funding, Virginia had a magical ability to share energy and vision. I worked with her on many of these, including a piece called The Wind on the Moor, constructed by mostly Muslim children from schools in Bradford. They came to the Brontë village of Haworth with some suspicion, but in the end, gave a performance in the church that moved the audience to laughter and something close to tears.

Virginia was a magical person. I feel privileged to have worked with her on so many projects and to have enjoyed her company as both colleague and close friend.

Alison Prince