1941 saw the first visit to Scotland by Sadler's Wells Opera, an organization founded by Lilian Baylis, initially to play in harness with the Old Vic Theatre Company. It toured far and wide round the country during the war, returning to Scotland in 1942 and 1944. At this stage the company only played the central belt.
This visit consisted of three weeks in Glasgow and one in Edinburgh, with a repertoire consisting of Madam Butterfly, Bohème, Traviata, Marriage of Figaro and Fledermaus.
The first Glasgow week ran as follows: Mon Butterfly, Tue Bohème, Wed mat Figaro, Wed eve Fledermaus, Thu Butterfly, Fri Traviata, Sat mat Fledermaus, Sat eve Bohème. The following weeks were the same in content, though in varied order, with the total number of performances, 32 in all, divided between Butterfly (8), Bohème (8), Traviata (4), Figaro (4) and Fledermaus (8).
This cast is from a programme in the NLS collection, confirmed by the Glasgow Herald review of 12 March, which specifies the six leading roles (Adele, Rosalinde, Orlofsky, Eisenstein, Falke and Frank), while identifying a different conductor. The Scotsman, reviewing the 2 April performance, adds the roles of Alfred and Frosch, but is particularly interested in the audience - 'a large proportion of troops, among them a considerable number of Polish officers.'
Joan Collier (Mar 12 e; Apr 2)
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