Opera Scotland

Madam Butterfly 1952Iskoldoff Italian Opera Company

Read more about the opera Madama Butterfly

The Italian company imported by Eugene Iskoldoff performed London seasons, usually at the Stoll Theatre on Kingsway (originally built by Oscar Hammerstein in 1911 as the London Opera House). He quickly began a series of provincial tours that would become annual events for several years, until 1956. Standards were variable, with chorus, scenery and costumes brought in from Italy. A small orchestra of freelance musicians was recruited in London, but was not usually of a very high standard, and generally under-rehearsed. However some notable singers also appeared.

With four performances of Butterfly, five of Bohème, five of Tosca and only two of The Barber, it seems that management rather undervalued comic opera on this tour. But in subsequent years it was the same story, with L'elisir d'amore appearing once, but all other works being tragic in nature.

The Glasgow schedule was as follows:

First week (comm 10 Nov): Mon Bohème; Tue Tosca; Wed mat Barber; Wed eve Butterfly; Thu Bohème; Fri Butterfly; Sat mat Bohème; Sat eve Tosca.

Second week (comm 17 Nov): Mon Barber; Tue Tosca; Wed mat Bohème; Wed eve Tosca; Tu Bohème; Fri Butterfly; Sat mat Butterfly; Sat eve Tosca.

Cast details to be confirmed.