Opera Scotland

Fliegende Holländer 1877Carl Rosa Opera Company

Read more about the opera Flying Dutchman

The performance on 23rd February was the first appearance of The Flying Dutchman in Scotland, as well as being the first Scottish production of a Wagner opera in English.   When Lohengrin had been performed a couple of years previously, it had been sung in Italian as was the custom in those days- see details here. 

In the Scotsman the following morning, their reviewer, apparently well-travelled, said “All the scenic effects, except the final apotheosis, were nearly as well given as at the great opera houses in Germany. The two ships were excellent, and a better stage representation of a stormy sea could hardly be possible”.

This was also a strong cast. The Dutchman, or Vanderdecken, as the part was usually known then, was a role for which Charles Santley was renowned.   Later in 1877 Santley retired from the operatic stage and devoted the rest of a long career to concert and recital work.

The Irish baritone William Ludwig also made a reputation in the part and continued to sing major roles with the company for many years.