That the chorus members of the Scottish Opera are about to lose their jobs has been common knowledge for weeks, ever since details of the Scottish Executive’s plan to “save” the company hit the press. But the chorus hadn’t had their fears officially confirmed until last night, when their chorus master informed them, 24 minutes before a performance, that they were all officially being laid off. The chorus has offered singing protests outside the company’s hall before and after concerts lately, and the petition they are circulating in an effort to reverse the Executive’s decision sports the signature of Scottish Opera’s own chief executive.