Opera Scotland

Faust 1916Carl Rosa Opera Company

Read more about the opera Faust

What was the performance like?

The Edinburgh Evening News review (28 February) stated " A crowded matinee gathering on Saturday greatly enjoyed an excellent presentation of the ever-popular Faust. 

Miss Dorothy Robson made a charming Marguerite, and displayed vocal and dramatic talent of a high order.  As Mephistopheles Mr Arthur Winckworth was in fine voice and left nothing to be desired.  Mr Hughes Macklin, in the title role, and Mr Hebden Foster as Valentine acquitted themselves with distinction, and the other principals maintained a high level. 

The choruses were capitally rendered, and the large orchestra, conducted by Mr Henriques de la Fuente, contributed very largely to the general success."

Cast details come from a programme in the A M Gardiner collection at the Mitchell Library, Glasgow.

The 1916 Scottish Tour

The Scottish circuit that year consisted of two weeks at Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum, followed by three at Glasgow’s Theatre Royal. Advertisements state the orchestra included fifty performers.

w/c Monday 21 Feb Tales of Hoffmann; Tue Aïda; Wed Tannhauser; Thu Trovatore; Fri Cav and Pag; Sat m Faust; Sat e Bohemian Girl.

w/c Monday 28 Feb Carmen; Tue Tales of Hoffmann; Wed Mignon; Thu Magic Flute; Fri Faust*; Sat m Tales of Hoffmann; Sat e Maritana.

w/c Monday 6 March Tales of Hoffmann; Tue Carmen; Wed Faust; Thu Trovatore; Fri Cav and Pag; Sat m Aïda; Sat e Maritana.

w/c Mon 13 March Tannhauser; Tue Tales of Hoffmann; Wed Aïda; Thu Magic Flute; Fri Faust; Sat m Tales of Hoffmann; Sat e Bohemian Girl.

w/c Mon 20 March Carmen; Tue Mignon; Wed Cav and Pag; Thu Attack on the Mill; Fri Tales of Hoffmann; Sat m Faust; Sat e Trovatore.

The whole amounted to seven performances of Tales of Hoffmann; five of Faust; three of Aïda, Cav and Pag, Carmen, and Trovatore; two of Tannhauser, Bohemian Girl, Mignon, Maritana, and Magic Flute; one of Attack on the Mill.

• The advertised performance in Edinburgh of Attack on the Mill was replaced by one of Faust. The latter performance was seemingly not reviewed.