Opera Scotland

Turandot 1929Covent Garden Opera

Read more about the opera Turandot

The Covent Garden Opera arose Phoenix-like from the ashes of the BNOC, which had visited Scotland the previous year.  It was the Granite City that enjoyed the honour of the first Scottish performance by the Ice Princess, subject of Puccini's last opera.

Most of these singers had been members of the previous company, including the Scottish soprano Noël Eadie.  The leading couple, Turandot and Calaf themselves, were new arrivals.  The scenery was elaborate; and the costumes, borrowed from La Scala, had been designed for the Italian premiere. The English version of the text was first heard the week before the Aberdeen launch, on 27 September, in the Theatre Royal, Halifax.

The Friday evening performance of Turandot was an effective climax of the week, which also saw performances of The Mastersingers,  The Barber of Seville,  Falstaff,  La bohème,  Faust and  Madam Butterfly.  The orchestra of fifty players was led by the veteran Robert Carrodus.

Cast details are drawn from the Aberdeen Press and Journal.  Additional confirmation for 22 October is from a programme in the Edinburgh Room of Edinburgh City Library.