Opera Scotland

The Makropulos Affair in Scotland

Posted 1 Nov 2024

The Makropulos Affair received its first performance in Scotland on 3 September 1970 at the King's Theatre as part of the Edinburgh International Festival.  The National Theatre from Prague was making its second visit to the Festival, and during their two-week stay performed three works by Janácek, also giving first Scottish performances of The Cunning Little Vixen as well as the UK premiere of The Excursions of Mr Broucek. They also performed two works by Smetana, The Bartered Bride and Dalibor.

The conductor of Makropulos was Bohumil Gregor, in a modernist production by the famous team of Václav Kašlik (director) and Josef Svoboda (designer). They were about to work on a famous staging at Covent Garden of Pelléas et Mélisande, while Svoboda also prepared spectacular designs for the next Royal Opera Ring Cycle.

The cast consisted of leading company members. Emilia was performed by the principal dramatic soprano, Nadežda Kniplová, who also specialised in the major Wagner and Verdi roles. Ivo Zidek sang Albert Gregor, with Karel Berman (Dr Kolenatý), Rudolf Vonásek (Vitek), Rudolf Jedlicka (Baron Prus), Helena Tattermuschová (Kristina) and Viktor Koci (Jánek).

Scottish Opera first staged the work in 1981. This was part of a famous cycle of five of the composer's operas mounted in collaboration with Welsh National Opera. The conductor was Richard Armstrong, then based in Wales, with Scottish Opera's Director of Productions David Pountney in charge of the staging. Designs were by Maria Bjørnson of the Glasgow Citizens' Theatre, and since remembered for her contribution to great West End musical stagings, such as Phantom of the Opera and Sunset Boulevard.

The cast was led by several; company regulars - Catherine Wilson (Emilia), Peter van der Bilt (Baron Prus) and Thomas Hemsley (Dr Kolenatý). Albert was Mark Hamilton, a young guest tenor from Wales. Early appearances were made by Donald Maxwell (Stagehand) and Linda Ormiston (Chambermaid).

This production was at last revived in 1993 under conductor John Mauceri, with Kathryn Harries as Emilia. Donald Maxwell was now enjoying an international career and rarely able to fit in visits to Scotland, but was here promoted from Stagehand to Baron. Nigel Robson appeared on home turf as Albert while a young Australian baritone Stephen Bennett, spending a season with the company, played the lawyer. Veteran Nigel Douglas repeated his portrayal of the elderly Count.

Scottish Opera's second production, in 1998, was a highly enterprising one. The Opera-Go-Round company with piano accompaniment, toured the length and breadth of Scotland. Eighteen performances were given over two months, beginning in Ayr and Dundee, while going north as far as Thurso and Orkney, south to Galashiels.

Antony McDonald, previously known as a designer, now took on the direction as well.  Pianist David Munro performed miracles every evening with his elaboration of the keyboard score.

Regina Hanley performed Emilia with Tom McVeigh as the Baron. David Owen was Albert Gregor with Giles Davies (Dr Kolenatý) and Alexander Anderson-Hall (Jánek). Two of the singers doubled parts, with Jeni Bern performing both Kristina and the Chambermaid.  Martin Nelson was Vítek and the old Count.

Most recently the Edinburgh International Festival of 2012 brought in a production by Opera North. This was directed by Tom Cairns in designs by Hildegard Bechtler. The conductor was Richard Farnes. The cast included Ylva Kihlberg as Emilia and Robert Hayward as the Baron.  Paul Nilon sang Albert Gregor and Nigel Robson, who had done that role twenty years before, now sang the old man.  Mark Le Brocq, the lawyer's clerk Vítek, will repeat the part with Scottish Opera in 2025.