Opera Scotland

Lohengrin 1895Carl Rosa Opera Company

Read more about the opera Lohengrin

The performance of 13 May was reviewed in the Scotsman the following day. 

'No effort, however, was spared to make last night's performance in every way worthy of Wagner's work. The cast may be said to have included the flower of the company.  The orchestra, under the able leadership of Mr Feld, gave what was on the whole a satisfying rendering of their important and difficult music, and both chorus and principals worked unsparingly for success.  As a result a performance resulted which was probably the best ever given of the opera in Edinburgh.  it was in all respects superior to that given by Sir Augustus Harris's Italian Company in September last, and, indeed, it is not easy to think that, under the conditions of the stage in this country, anything better could reasonably be looked for in the provinces. The audience, if it did not by any means fill the theatre, was nevertheless encouragingly large, and enthusiasm reigned supreme.'

'Mr Hedmondt was an ideal Lohengrin...throughout, Mr Hedmondt gave the impression that he had thoroughly studied the part.   Vocally his performance was above reproach. His voice does not seem to be quite so strong as it was a year or two ago - possibly the result of sustained work; but in the art os using it in giving effective and sympathetic expression to the demand of the part he seemed more happy last night than ever.  His beautiful quality in such passages as the address to the Swan was no less noteworthy than the warmer feeling that was thrown into the more human scenes such as that in the bridal chamber.   Miss Marie Duma was quite admirable as Elsa.  Though scarcely looking the part of the sorely tried Princess of Brabant, Miss Duma more than counterbalanced the defect by her artistic and powerful singing, and in her acting she showed great intelligence.  Miss Meisslinger, as the envious and malicious Ortrud, had a part which suited her admirably.  The grand passage with Telramund at the opening of the second act was splendidly declaimed.  Mr Max Eugene has never been heard to greater advantage than on this visit, and his Telramund was quite on the level of the other impersonations.  It remains to mention that Mr W. Paull did full justice to the music of the Herald, and Mr Pringle was also very successful as the Emperor Henry.  At the close of each act the chief singers were enthusiastically summoned before the curtain.'

The matinee performance scheduled for Saturday 18 May was cancelled due to the funeral of Mr Howard, of Howard and Wyndham.

Details are also taken from the Glasgow Herald on 13 Nov.   The principals for the November performances seem to have been attempting their parts for the first time, at least in Scotland.

Carl Rosa Opera’s spring tour consisted of a week in Glasgow, a week in Aberdeen and then two weeks in Edinburgh.  Over the four week period, the company gave 36 performances of eleven operas as follows:-

Royalty Theatre, Glasgow.  w/c 22 April Mon Tannhauser; Tue Ivanhoe; Wed Hansel and Gretel & Pagliacci; Thu m Hansel and Gretel; Thu evg Ivanhoe; Fri Hansel and Gretel & Bastien and Bastienne; Sat m Ivanhoe; Sat evg Bohemian Girl.

Her Majesty’s, Aberdeen.  w/c 29 April Mon Tannhauser, Tue Faust; Wed Bastien and Bastienne & Hansel and Gretel; Thu Carmen; Fri Ivanhoe; Sat m Bastien and Bastienne & Hansel and Gretel; Sat evg Lohengrin.

Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh w/c 6 May Mon Tannhauser; Tue Jeanie Deans; Wed Pagliacci & Hansel and Gretel; Thu Carmen; Fri Ivanhoe; Sat m Bastien and Bastienne & Hansel and Gretel; evg Bohemian Girl.

Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh w/c Mon 13 May Lohengrin; Tue Bastien and Bastienne & Hansel and Gretel; Wed Tannhauser; Thu Ivanhoe; Fri Pagliacci & Hansel and Gretel; Sat e Trovatore.

Carl Rosa Opera returned in November 1893 for two weeks in Glasgow.