Opera Scotland

Clemenza di Tito 1991Scottish Opera

Read more about the opera Clemenza di Tito

Scottish Opera’s first staging of this wonderful late opera seria opened at the Edinburgh Festival of 1991 before entering the company’s main autumn season.  The staging was simple, in a vaguely antique unit set and eighteenth century court costumes.  This concentrated attention on the generally fine musical performance in Amanda Holden's clear translation.

The Australian contingent in the cast was notably good - Glenn Winslade an unusually positive Emperor, and Cheryl Barker in a role rather different from the likes of Tatyana, Butterfly and Emilia Marty that would establish her reputation in later years.  Juliana Gondek was a regular collaborator with McGegan in California, and made an excellent impression in a demanding role, but did not return.  Anne Mason also made a very positive Sesto.

The production was shared with Houston, and did not come back once it crossed the Atlantic.

 

Scottish Opera's Season - 1991/92

At this period, Scottish Opera generally mounted nine main-stage operas each season, in groups of three. If funds allowed, there would be a small-scale production as well. For the 1991/92 season, the piano-accompanied tour, with 33 performances through the autumn, was of Maria Stuarda. The main stage schedule began at the Edinburgh Festival with a new production of La Clemenza di Tito. There were two more new stagings - Die Walküre and Don Giovanni. The six revivals were Madam Butterfly, Carmen, La traviata, Billy Budd, The Marriage of Figaro and Aïda.