Paisley Opera are thrilled to announce that Emmy Award-Winning Actor Brian Cox will be our new Patron.

Brian Cox said, “I’m very pleased to be associated with a company whose mission is to make opera accessible to all kinds of people and to break down the old stereotype that it’s just for ‘posh’ people. Opera is an amazingly powerful art form which can move people through music and drama irrespective of their background. Like Paisley Opera, I believe that great art should be available to anyone who wants to experience it.”

Our artistic director and founder Simon Hannigan said, “We are thrilled that Brian has agreed to become our Patron. It’s a huge encouragement to our community chorus and to all the professionals who have worked so hard to make Paisley Opera a vibrant part of the arts scene in Scotland. Brian is not just a renowned actor, but someone who really understands how important and life-changing culture and the arts can be for so many people.”  

 Brian Cox is an Emmy Award-winning Scottish actor. He was born on June 1, 1946 in Dundee, Scotland, to Mary Ann Guillerline Cox, maiden surname McCann, a spinner, and Charles McArdle Campbell Cox, a shopkeeper and butcher. His father was of Irish ancestry and his mother was of Irish and Scottish descent. 

Cox first came to attention in the early 1970s with performances in numerous television films. His first big break was as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter (1986). The film was not overly successful at the box office, although Cox’s career prospects and popularity continued to develop. Through the 1990s, he appeared in nearly 20 films and television series, as well as making numerous television guest appearances. More recently, Cox has had roles in some major films, including The Corrupter (1999), The Ring (2002) and X-Men (2003). He was awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2003 Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for his services to drama.

Paisley Opera, whose motto is “Passion Not Posh!”, was founded in 2017 and brings its productions right into the heart of the community, performing operas with special Paisley Scots translations. Its community chorus comprises around sixty people of all ages and walks of life, and they are supported by professional chorus leaders, top class soloists and a professional orchestra.  

Paisley Opera is currently working on its fifth production, Gounod’s “Faust: The Devil went down to Paisley”. 

Performances will be on the 6th and 9th October at Paisley Methodist Central Hall.  Tickets and more details will be available soon from our website and socials!