Forza was an ambitious undertaking for an amateur group, and Dundee had missed out in earlier years on the rare occasions when professional companies had brought it to Scotland. The one singer imported from outside the company was bass John Leishman, a long-term chorister and small-part player with Scottish Opera, and a familiar performer around the country. Mary Timmons and Alan Borthwick were again the excellent leading couple. Gelda Bell usually sang soprano parts, but was here very strong casting for the short but eyecatching part of Preziosilla.
William Dewar usually sang the leading baritone roles for the company. However on this occasion he 'stepped down' to the character part of Melitone, to leave the vengeful brother in the hands of the young baritone Donald MacAlpine. The Courier's description of his performance says he was 'in familiar full throttle, but needing to discipline his accompanying histrionic enthusiasm.' This is a skill he quickly learned after he joined Scottish Opera a few months later, under his new professional name, Donald Maxwell.
Cast details from the Dundee Courier & Advertiser.
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