The Lily of Killarney was at the height of its popularity at this period, as was its source play, The Colleen Bawn by Boucicault. Neither survived significantly into the twentieth century, though other works by the playwright (London Assurance and The Shaughraun) have been revived successfully.
Of these performers, much was made at the time of the switch by leading American tenor Fred Packard. During his years with Carl Rosa he had sung the romantic lead, Hardress Cregan, but here moved to the equally important character role of Myles.
Cast details are from the Aberdeen Journal, Dundee Advertiser and Dundee Courier & Argus.
Sydney Hill's Royal English Opera in Scotland - 1885
The operas toured were: Mozart (Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni); Bellini (Sonnambula); Benedict (Lily of Killarney); Wallace (Maritana); Verdi (Trovatore); Gounod (Faust).
The Scottish tour schedule was:
Aberdeen w/c 23 March: Mon 23 Maritana; Tue 24 Lily of Killarney; Wed 25 Trovatore; Thu 26 Marriage of Figaro; Fri 27 Faust; Sat 28 Sonnambula.
Dundee w/c 30 Marcch: Mon 30 Marriage of Figaro; Tue 31 Maritana; Wed 1 April Lily of Killarney; Thu 2 Faust; Fri 3 Trovatore; Sat 4 Don Giovanni.
Further Edinburgh and Glasgow performances to be confirmed.
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