Opera Scotland

Tales of Hoffmann 1921Carl Rosa Opera Company

Read more about the opera Tales of Hoffmann

On Monday 13 December 1920, the Carl Rosa company began a four-week Christmas - New Year season in Aberdeen, with a completely different group of performers from those who had visited the central belt in the spring. The Directors were billed as Mrs Carl Rosa and Walter van Noorden, a former conductor.  The Acting Manager was Edward Taylor and Stage Director Harison Cook. Conductors were Wynn Reeves and John Cope, with Alfeo Turato as their assistant.

The first week, commencing 13 December, was: Mon Tales of Hoffmann; Tue Tannhäuser; Wed Faust; Thu Carmen; Fri Bohème; Sat mat Mignon; Sat eve Trovatore.

Second week, commencing 20 December: Mon Cav & Pag; Tue Butterfky; Wed Rigoletto; Thu Marriage of Figaro; Fri Daughter of the Regiment; Sat mat Tales of Hoffmann; Sat eve Carmen.

Third week, commencing 27 December: Mon Faust; Tue Trovatore; Wed Pro Patria & Pagliacci; Thu Bohème; Fri Tannhäuser; Sat mat Madam Butterfly; Sat eve Maritana.

Fourth week, commencing 3 January 1921: Mon Carmen, Tue Tales of Hoffmann, Wed Mignon, Thu Angelus, Fri Faust, Sat mat Trovatore, Sat eve Bohemian Girl.

Several of the singers in the new team enjoyed notable careers with Carl Rosa and other companies, including Ethel Austen, Constance Willis, Olive Gilbert, Eda Bennie and Appleton Moore.

Hoffmann was for many years a permanent feature in the Carl Rosa calendar at this time - seeming to be as popular as Carmen, Il trovatore or Faust.

The cast for Aberdeen on 4 January is from a programme in Aberdeen City Library. Details of this Edinburgh cast in the spring are drawn from a programme in the OperaScotland collection combining Hoffmann with the following evening's Tannhäuser.

Later tour dates to be confirmed.