HE will be master of all he surveys, although right now that does not amount to very much.

In the latest curious twist in the suitably dramatic story of Scottish Opera, the arts organisation currently in the position of being a major national opera company with no chorus has advertised for its latest highprofile appointment.

The company, which laid off its 34-strong full-time chorus as part of a GBP7m restructuring package and is in the midst of its "dark season", is nevertheless looking to appoint a chorus master to "recruit and train" freelance choristers for shows planned next spring.

Although sources at Scottish Opera last night said the advertisement was a positive step and a key point in the relaunch of the company, one of the major unions involved in the field expressed concern.

Equity, the union for performers, is understood to be seeking talks with Sir Richard Armstrong, former artistic director and now an adviser to the company, and Richard Jarman, interim director of Scottish Opera, about the move.

"On the face of it, it looks a little concerning. Why have a chorus master but no chorus?"

a union source said.

Equity would like an explanation as to how the job - with as yet no specified salary - will workwithin a company which laid off the last of its chorus members this summer.

The mass redundancy was part of a financial deal with the Scottish Executive which led to 88 job losses at the financiallytroubled company.

Last night, an opera source said: "This is a good sign, it does not mean we are turning the corner, but we are approaching the corner and we are in the stages of planning to put on mainscale opera again in Scotland.

"The fact is that when we return to mainscale we will need a chorus and we need a chorus master to prepare and train them."

The advert explains that Scottish Opera has "recently undergone a period of organisational change" and is ready to begin plans for the future.

"We seek an experienced chorus master to recruit and train choristers; these will be engaged on a freelance basis for each opera and project, " reads the notice, in the latest edition of Opera Magazine.

"The successful candidate will have proven organisational and strong leadership skills togetherwith the ability to help deliver the company's artistic vision."

The job's tenure is stated as two years, from "autumn 2005", and the closing date for applications is Monday, October 17.

A spokeswoman for Scottish Opera said: "We anticipate the new chorus master taking up post in autumn 2005.

"It is essential that the chorus master is in post prior to the recruitment of choristers, a process which we hope to begin in November 2005."