Opera Scotland

Catiline Conspiracy 1978Scottish Opera

Read more about the opera Catiline Conspiracy

Of the four new operas premiered between 1974 and 1977, Catiline was the only one to be given a second run. This was an excellent revival at the Theatre Royal of Iain Hamilton’s thoroughly stageworthy historical drama, with many of the original starry line-up of singers returning. Even the newcomers included Donald Maxwell and Marie Slorach in small roles. John Robertson, Cethegus in the first run, stepped up to succeed Alexander Young in an excellent performance as Cicero. Claire Livingstone was also impressive as Aurelia. Although Gerwyn Morgan inevitably could not dominate the stage as the very tall Richard Angas had done, he still made a useful contribution. Roderick Brydon took over the conducting duties with outstanding results.

 

Scottish Opera's 1978-79 season

Scottish Opera's fourth season at the Theatre Royal (1978-79) opened with Simon Boccanegra, and continued with Jenůfa, Catiline Conspiracy then an unusual triple-bill of Savitri, Fanny Robin and Dido and Aeneas. Next came Seraglio, Rosenkavalier, Hansel and Gretel, Fledermaus, Midsummer Night's Dream, Bohème, Kátya Kabanová and Rigoletto. In June there followed the company's first staging of a musical, Fiddler on the Roof. Many of these works were also toured.