Opera Scotland

Carmen 1958Touring Opera 58

Read more about the opera Carmen

This little documented organisation was formed "in association with the Arts Council of Great Britain" and toured for a season with artists from the defunct Carl Rosa company, which had always been refused significant Arts Council support. It claimed a company of 130 - eighty artists  and fifty musicians. Sadler's Wells were also visiting Scotland by now, though usually in the spring.

The Scottish tour, starting on 22 September, consisted of only two weeks, one in Glasgow and one in Aberdeen. The repertoire held few surprises:

Glasgow Mon, Barber; Tue Bartered Bride; Wed Cav & Pag; Thu Carmen; Fri Don Giovanni; Sat mat Barber; Sat eve Bartered Bride.

Aberdeen Mon Bartered Bride; Tue Carmen; Wed Barber; Thu Butterfly; Fri Don Giovanni; Sat mat Carmen; Sat eve Cav & Pag.

Bryan Balkwill was a long-term member of Sadler's Wells, and earlier of Welsh National. Everything he did seemed to have a naturalness and ease of style about it - an excellent conductor. Bryan Drake is remembered now more for his years with the English Opera Group and his association with Britten. Gloria Lane sang several times at Glyndebourne, in roles as varied as Lady Macbeth and Ariadne.