Opera Scotland

Cosi fan tutte 1966Scottish Opera for All

Read more about the opera Così fan tutte

Autumn 1966 saw the launch of Scottish Opera's involvement in the management of an Opera For All company - small-scale, English language, piano-accompanied performances touring parts of Britain beyond the reach of the main companies. They played in small theatres and village halls as far north as Shetland and toured widely in England as well. It gave valuable experience to a team of young singers.

The repertoire for this first project, running for 42 performances from the end of September to early December, was Così fan tutte (12 showings), Madama Butterfly (17) and La cenerentola (13). A further tour of these pieces followed in early 1967, with a change of repertoire to follow that autumn.

Anthony Besch, who was one of Scottish Opera's leading directors, is described here as 'Artistic Adviser' - an odd term, given that he would, a few months later, launch the historically important main stage production on which he collaborated with designer John Stoddart. It also seems strange that they decided to use a different translation, rejecting the venerable Browne used here in favour of the sometimes less felicitous Martin version.

The schedule for the first twelve performances of Così is as follows: 26 Sep (Dumfries), 7 Oct (Penrith), 14 Oct (Darlington), 21 Oct (Stanley), 24 Oct (Brandon), 4 Nov (Carlisle), 8 Nov (Kirkcudbright), 18 Nov (Dunoon), 28 Nov (Thurso), 30 Nov (Tain), 5 Dec (Duns), 8 Dec (Melrose).

Itinerary and cast details are taken from the Richard Telfer archive in Scottish Opera's collection. Seven of the venues still to be confirmed.