Opera Scotland

Semiramide

Posted 20 Apr 2011

The first mention of Semiramide the Opera Scotland archivist can find is in 1829, when one of the best known arias, 'Bel raggio lusinghier', was to be sung at the Assembly Rooms in George Street on the evening of Mar 23 1829, by Miss E. Paton.

The overture and arias were played from time to time thereafter. In 1835, on 11th April, the first Act was played ("for the first time in this city") at the Theatre Royal for the benefit of Mr Stretton, together with other entertainments.

The first performance in Scotland was given on 19 February 1855 in the Theatre Royal in Edinburgh. It was subsequently given in Glasgow, and in Scotland in 1866, 1872, 1873, 1874 and 1876. It is said to have been sung not only because it was 'good box office' but because it was a favourite of the well-known soprano of the day, Madame Therese Tietjens.