Il Trovatore was in those days typical Saturday night fare for opera-goers, and a familiar score for the orchestra to sight-read through after the novelties of Fidelio that afternoon and Merry Wives of Windsor the night before.
The Scotsman review (25 March) of the Edinburgh performance stated "In the evening an enthusiastic reception from a house crowded in every part, was accorded to Il Trovatore. As Manrico, Mr Charles La Sueur gave a distinguished impersonation both in singing and acting, and well merited the oft-renewed applause bestowed on him. In the role of Leonora, Miss Grace Nicholl achieved gratifying success. Her rendering of the first aria, 'Twas night and all around was still', was cleverly and effectively sung, while in the prison scene her rich clear voice was heard to the fullest advantage. Miss Doris Woodall, who appeared as Azucena, the revengeful but loving gipsy queen, ably sustained the part. Her rendering of the familiar lines of 'Home to our mountains' was a particularly happy one. The character of the Count di Luna provided the fullest scope for the talents of Mr Dillon Shallard. At the close of the entertainment, the curtain had to be raised several times in response to clamorous calls. The week's performances have proved that the Carl Rosa Company still commands the confidence and support of the Edinburgh musical public."
Doris Woodall must have seemed a very youthful Azucena.
Cast details are taken from a programme in the NLS collection, the principal parts being confirmed in the Scotsman review (25 March).
In 1907, Carl Rosa Opera in Scotland spent two weeks at the Glasgow Grand, one at the Alexandra, Greenock and finally one at Edinburgh King’s Theatre (7.30;2pm)
w/c 25 February Mon Marriage of Figaro; Tue Trovatore; Wed Merry Wives of Windsor; Thu Fidelio Fri Cavand Pag; Sat m Tannhauser; Sat e Rigoletto.
w/c 4 Mar Mon Don Giovanni; Tue Lohengrin; Wed Faust; Thu Carmen; Fri Fidelio; Sat m Merry Wives of Windsor; Sat m Trovatore.
w/c 11 Mar Mon Lohengrin; Tue Marriage of Figaro; Wed; Thu Fidelio; Fri Merry Wives of Windsor; Sat m Tannhauser; Sat e Faust.
w/c 18 Mar Mon Tannhauser; Tue Don Giovanni; Wed Carmen; Thu Faust; Fri Merry Wives of Windsor; Sat m Fidelio; Sat e Trovatore.
4 Merry Wives of Windsor; Fidelio.
3 Trovatore; Tannhauser; Faust; Carmen
2 Marriage of Figaro; Don Giovanni; Lohengrin.
1 Rigoletto; Cav and Pag.
12 operas, 28 performances QED.
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