Mascagni was a great star of the operatic world following the enormous success of Cavalleria rusticana. Sadly his follow-up to Cav, L'amico Fritz, was seen as a disappointment, though it is now widely recognised as a completely different, and rather charming piece. I Rantzau was the next work he produced, and Mascagni came to Britain to conduct the Covent Garden premiere.. It was played quite widely for a few years and the Carl Rosa toured it round the 'provinces' with what is clearly a good cast. But it does not seem to have made many friends. The problem seems to have been slackness of plotting over four shortish acts. Perhaps it is time for a revival or at least a recording to let us re-examine it.
The opera was due to receive its first Scottish outing on 15 November, but the prevailing fog caused problems, and while the scheduled partner, Pagliacci, went ahead as planned, I Rantzau was postponed, with two acts of The Bohemian Girl substituted.
On 22 November the evening ended with a performance by Frances Saville of the Mad Scene from Lucia di Lammermoor - not a work that featured in the Carl Rosa repertoire. At the remaining performance, the long programme was completed with a performance of the scheduled novelty, Pagliacci.
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