Opera Scotland

Fledermaus 1968Sadler's Wells Opera

Read more about the opera Fledermaus

Die Fledermaus had enjoyed several productions by the Sadler's Wells company and which were taken on tour from the thirties onwards. This generally successful staging opened at the Sadler's Wells Theatre on 28 March 1966 and stayed in the repertoire for a decade.

The early runs were notable for the beautifully-timed treatment of the dialogue by expert operetta hands such as Catherine Wilson, Emile Belcourt, Eric Shilling and Denis Dowling. The conductor on this tour was an authentic Viennese, Georg Tintner, who spent a brief period with the Wells company. He became known later on for his excellent conducting of Bruckner symphonies with the RSNO. Much of his career was devoted to Commonwealth orchestras, especially in New Zealand and Australia.

The last of the four performances was the ideal vehicle to end the company's three-week Glasgow season. The other works presented were La Belle Hélène, an old favourite on its last outing, a recent Rigoletto, and brand new productions of Don Giovanni and The Italian Girl in Algiers.

Cast details are from a programme in the OperaScotland collection.

 

Sadler's Wells Opera in Scotland - 1968

Only one Scottish venue for this three week visit - the King's Theatre in Glasgow.

The operas were Mozart (Don Giovanni);  Rossini (Italian Girl in Algiers);  Verdi (Rigoletto);  Offenbach (Belle Hélène); J Strauss (Fledermaus).

The performance schedule was:

Week One, w/c Mon 11 Nov:  Tue 12 Italian Girl;  Wed 13 Belle Hélène;  Thu 14 Don Giovann;  Fri 15 Italian Girl;  Sat 16 Belle Hélène.

Week Two, w/c Mon 18 Nov:  Mon 18 Fledermaus;  Tue 19 Rigoletto; Wed 20 Don Giovanni;  Thu 21 Italian Girl;  Fri 22 Fledermaus.

Week Three, w/c Mon 25 Nov;  Mon 25 Rigoletto;  Tue 26 Fledermaus;  Wed 27 Belle Hélène;  Thu 28 Rigoletto;  Fri 29 Don Giovanni;  Sat 30 Fledermaus.