Scottish Opera has won the coveted Classical:NEXT Innovation Award for its groundbreaking Breath Cycle initiative, a project that uses singing and songwriting to support people with lung conditions, including those with Long Covid.
Breath Cycle uses classical singing techniques and songwriting workshops to help participants improve their breathing
Beating global competition, the project was recognised at the Classical:NEXT ceremony in Berlin on 14 May for its pioneering work in blending artistic excellence with therapeutic impact.
Initially launched in 2012 in partnership with Gartnavel General Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Service in Glasgow, Breath Cycle uses classical singing techniques and songwriting workshops to help participants improve their breathing, physical health and mental wellbeing.
The initiative was reimagined during the pandemic to address the effects of Long Covid, leading to the creation of The Covid Composers Songbook and a series of emotive performances in 2023 and 2025.
Jane Davidson MBE, Director of Outreach & Education at Scottish Opera, said: “Your voice is yours and yours alone, and to lose control over it can be devastating. We’ve learnt so much about how loss of voice through lung conditions can lead to profound loneliness and isolation. Breath Cycle has been about helping participants regain their self-worth through song.”
Composer Gareth Williams and Davidson accepted the award in Berlin, where Breath Cycle was recognised alongside other standout projects, OPERA APERTA from Ukraine and Clásica No Convencional from Chile.
Breath Cycle will continue throughout the 2025-2026 season with support from the Scottish Government and other charitable foundations.
For more information about the project, visit scottishopera.org.uk.
