Opera Scotland

Edinburgh Opera Company

This company was established in 1920 under the direction of retired tenor E C Hedmondt. Between the wars it staged several novelties (such as both Le Cid and Hérodiade by Massenet). In 1929 it gave the premiere of The Bride of Dionysus by Tovey, reviving it in 1932. It also staged popular works, including La bohème with Joseph Hislop making a guest appearance as Rodolfo.

In the 1930s Ian Whyte became musical director. After the inevitable wartime gap from 1939, performances resumed in 1948. Richard Telfer, eventually to be a leading influence in the early years of Scottish Opera,  became director in 1950.

Later productions included Lucia di Lammermoor in 1956 and a Nabucco in 1957 that was conducted by Alexander Gibson.