Opera Scotland

Pagliacci 1957Dundee Operatic Society

Read more about the opera Pagliacci

Dundee Operatic's choice for 1957 fell on Cav & Pag, playing in repertory with The Student Prince. The demanding dramatic role of Canio was taken by Iona-born Kenneth Macdonald. He had sung Turiddu earlier in the evening, in what was the last of his four successive seasons as a guest with the Dundee group. Having started his career with the Covent Garden Chorus after the war, he would soon be returning to the Royal Opera Hoiuse as a principal.

The last few days of rehearsal were rather tense. First, the director James Cruden fell ill, and the last stage rehearsals were led by the principal baritone playing Tonio, James Kinloch. The effective sets and costumes by the Rep's resident design team were, of course, already in place. Then the companiy's veteran musical director Arthur J Miller collapsed and spent the entire run in hospital. His replacement was a notable figure in operatic circles. Richard Telfer taught Music at George Watson's College in Edinburgh and was musical director of Edinburgh Grand. He would soon take a leading part in the establishment of Scottish Opera. Fortunately he knew the verismo pairing and the Romberg work and was able to conduct every evening.

Finally, the baritone singing Silvio fell ill and had to miss the final performance.. Fortunately, his cover was in the cast of The Student Prince, and able to take over with ease.