"Virtual" operas, composers using 3D animations and digital theatre backdrops can now all be made at Scotland's leading talent school.

Yesterday a new digital training unit was opened at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, a computer-based facility that will allow students of all the disciplines taught at the school to use digital technology in their work.

Part of a £300,000 revamp of facilities at the RSAMD, the new digital training unit will allow students to experiment and create digital content which can then become part of their performance.

The 15 high-powered computers in the unit include industry standard film editing software, 3D special effects, photographic soft- ware and other training programmes.

The facility was officially opened by Fiona Hyslop, the Education Secretary, who welcomed the opportunities it would give to young performers at the school.

She said: "We want Scotland to be a culturally cosmopolitan country."