Opera Scotland

Valkyrie 1991Scottish Opera

Read more about the opera Walküre

The second stage of Scottish Opera’s half Ring is remembered for the wonderful first attempts at their roles by Willard White and Jane Eaglen, among others. Nigel Lowery's designs were extremely simple and very effective, with a striking use of colour, especially flashes of bright orange. Even the Ride of the Valkyries was freshly thought out - mauve-clad, witch-like (pointy hats and built-up footwear) bunched in a straight line front left of stage.

Sally Burgess was a vicious Fricka, and the trio of unfamiliar American performers brought the first act to thrilling life. It was tragic that funding problems prevented the project from being completed - the constant delays meant an inevitable loss of momentum, and it would have taken several seasons to finish, with little likelihood of performing complete cycles. Richard Jones was quickly snapped up to stage a generally successful cycle for Covent Garden, and he never returned to Scottish Opera.

 

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.