Opera Scotland

Rheingold 1976English National Opera

Read more about the opera Rhinegold

The Byam Shaw and Blatchley Ring Cycle was launched at the London Coliseum in 1970 with The Valkyrie. Twilight of the Gods had followed in 1971, and The Rhinegold opened on 1 March 1972.

This 1976 cycle was the last visit to Scotland by the Sadler’s Wells organisation, and the only visit under its new name before it stopped its policy of touring altogether. It was also the company’s only visit to the Theatre Royal, and a rare instance, in those days, of Sir Charles Mackerras conducting in Scotland.

Most of the major roles were taken by noted company regulars, including Raimund Herincx, Emile Belcourt, Anne Collins, Sarah Walker, and Clifford Grant. However there is also an appearance by that great Wagnerian bass John Tomlinson, a Bayreuth Wotan for many years to come, in an early principal role. He was progressing from his season in the Scottish Opera chorus of 1968, when still a student in Manchester, he had sung in Götterdämmerung and Boris Godunov.

Cast details from a programme in the OperaScotland collection