The company was most recently threatened by a possible workers' strike earlier this month, although action was averted when a Scottish politician stepped in.

Businessman Lord Irvine Laidlaw, the opera-loving tycoon who donated millions to the English National Opera, has contributed a six-figure donation towards Lucia di Lammermoor. The Donizetti opera will be directed by John Doyle, who enjoyed Broadway success with the musical Sweeney Todd.

The other three mainstage operas in the 2006-07 season are Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier and Puccini's Madama Butterfly, both to be directed by David McVicar, and Handel's Tamerlano. There will also be a smaller touring production of Die Fledermaus.

Reedijk, who moved from New Zealand Opera four months ago, told the Scotsman the upcoming season was finalized before he arrived, but he plans to commission new works from Scottish composers and lyricists. He said, "I'm passionate about new work, and Scotland has a rich musical and classical history and somewhere along the way we must set about rebuilding our Scottish Opera history."

The company is still searching for a music director.