This brief visit to Glasgow by the company from Her Majesty's Theatre in London consisted of a mere five performances from Monday to Friday. The opening and closing nights were devoted to the latest operatic sensation, Gounod's Faust, here receiving its first performances in Scotland. The Italian translation remains familiar from old recordings, though it was quickly replaced on most occasions by Chorley's English version. The original French text seems to have remained unheard in Scotland until the production by Scottish Opera of 1964. The remaining three works performed were Norma, Il trovatore and Don Giovanni.
The famous Signor Mario, in the title role, was still a great draw, though his long career was now nearing its close. Tietjens (or Titiens as it was generally spelled in those days), was considered an unequalled interpreter of dramatic and tragic parts, such as Norma, and was therefore at her best in the second half of this work. Santley was a superb interpreter of Valentin, though it is likely that most of the audience would have been looking forward to his Don Giovanni.
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