Opera Scotland

Martha 1888Dundee Amateur Opera Company

Read more about the opera Martha

Dundee's amateur musical groups, orchestral and choral, operating under the guidance of the late Henry Nagel, then Samuel Hirst, were now also tackling staged opera. Funds stretched to the import of guest performers, in this case a return by local tenor Durward Lely. Following the closure of the London run of Ruddigore, he had parted company with the D'Oyly Carte set up, and was building a notable career singing concerts and opera all over the country. Samuel Hirst, as conductor of the Blairgowrie choir, had known Lely since his teenage years, and they had maintained contact. A few days back in Dundee allowed the celebrated tenor to try a role which he would sing regularly in future years with Adelina Patti and the Carl Rosa company.