Opera Scotland

Barbiere di Siviglia 1949Carl Rosa Opera Company

Read more about the opera Barber of Seville

A review in the Aberdeen P&J (14 April) says "Rossini's work is a fillip and an inspiration to lovers of a Latin romance, especially when that romance is filled with music that the performers enjoy along with the audience. and that is what happened. The enthusiasm of the audience was equalled by the energy displayed by the principals...As Figaro, Arthur Fear was outstanding. His wit and mimicry were a joy to the eyes, his voice a pleasure to the ear. The sweet and charming Barbara Howitt, as Rosina, trilled her way happily from song to song; her coquetry was never overdone. From Gwent Lewis, as Count Almaviva, we heard a tenor voice that ws perfectly pitched. A pity that the orchestra overshadowed his fine singing at times."

This was an example of routine programming for the weekend, with Carmen on Friday and this Barber for the Saturday matinee (30 April). Cast details are taken from a programme in the Mitchell Library.

In 1949, Carl Rosa Opera toured Scotland for seven weeks, giving seven performances each week; two weeks in Edinburgh, one Aberdeen, four Glasgow.  Nine different operas were performed. The programme included familiar works by Rossini (Barber); Verdi (Trovatore, Traviata); Puccini (Bohème, Tosca, Butterfly); Gounod (Faust) and Bizet (Carmen). There was one extremely enterprising novelty in the delightful form of The Kiss by Dvořák, receiving its Scottish premiere.

w/c Mon 28 Mar Traviata; Tue Faust; Wed Bohème; Thu Carmen; Fri Barber; Sat m Butterfly; Sat e Faust

w/c Mon 4 Apr Butterfly; Tue Kiss; Wed Carmen; Thu Bohème; Fri Faust; Sat m Butterfly; Sat e Faust

w/c Mon 11 Apr Faust; Tue Bohème; Wed Barber; Thu Carmen; Fri Kiss; Sat m Butterfly; Sat e Trovatore.

w/c Mon 18 Apr Carmen; Tue Faust; wed Traviata; Thu Tosca; Fri Barber; Sat m Butterfly; Sat e Trovatore

W/c Mon 25 Apr Faust; Tue Butterfly; Wed Kiss; Thu Bohème; Fri Carmen; Sat m Barber; Sat e Butterfly

W/c Mon 2 May Bohème; Tue Carmen; Wed Tosca; Thu Faust; Fri Traviata; Sat m Carmen; Sat e Barber.

W/c Mon 9 May Butterfly; Tue Trovatore; Wed Faust; Thu Carmen; Fri Kiss; Sat m Bohème; Sat e Traviata.