Opera Scotland

Mary, Queen of Scots 1977Scottish Opera

Read more about the opera Mary, Queen of Scots

The last of the four operas commissioned by Scottish Opera from the leading Scottish composers of the day was an immediate success, both in Britain and at its American premiere in Norfolk, Virginia (in a different production, and with only Jake Gardner repeating his role).  It was a colourful, lively and dramatic work, with opportunities for striking dance music. It was the only one of the four operas to be toured to Europe, with the company taking it to Stuttgart for a single performance in 1978. It seems rather surprising that it has not been seen much anywhere since. Even stranger that we have not had another chance to see it.

Catherine Wilson enjoyed one of the greatest successes of her career in the title role, and Colin Graham's expert production gave excellent opportunities to a number of favourite singers.

The company's third subscription season at the Glasgow Theatre Royal again consisted of ten operas. The October performances of Mary, Queen of Scots were followed by Fidelio, Otello, Ariadne on Naxos, The Golden Cockerel, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Falstaff, The Marriage of Figaro, Madama Butterfly and The Bartered Bride.