It is fascinating to see how underappreciated La Traviata was in its early decades, both by public and press, at least in Britain. It is really only since the Second World War that it has been at last recognised as a very special work, which may even be the most genuinely popular of Verdi's operas.
The cast is interesting because of the fact that several characters are omitted, not just messengers and servants, but Gaston and d'Obigny too. It seems unlikely that they would have been cut out, but their brief solos in the two party scenes may well have been sung by choristers, even changing around at short notice. Perhaps this is one result of the long years of war just ending, and the flu pandemic that followed it. The recruitment of young men with good voices and some acting ability cannot have been straightforward.
The Glasgow Verdict
The Glasgow Herald, Monday, 15 December 1919.
'La traviata recalls the operatic past when the prima donna shone with undimmed lustre, regardless of considerations to which Verdi paid more respect in the later works. The music set for Violetta is kept alive by the great sopranos of the concert platform, but there are few opportunities of hearing it sung in its natural environment. After all, it is the only feature of the opera that makes its revival worth while.
'The Phillips section of the Carl Rosa Company at the King's Theatre, Glasgow, on Saturday afternoon gave a performance which rose well above the level of their attainments in some of the operas that have figured in their bill. Miss Gladys Seager may not act the part of Violetta as well as some of her distinguished predecessors, but she gave a delightful rendering of the music, meeting its exacting demands without any apparent difficulty, and preserving throughout the fine lyrical quality of voice that was so effectively displayed in 'Ah fors' è lui'. Mr Furnesss Williams as the lover Alfred had a part which suited him well and he sang very acceptably. It was a pleasure also to hear Mr Hubert Dunkerly do himself justice as Germont.
'The small parts were capably filled. The orchestra played smoothly the old-fashioned vamping accompaniment, under the direction of Mr Orry Corjeag, who made the most of the few opportunities for grandiose effect that the score allows. The performance was enjoyed by a large audience.'
Carl Rosa Scottish Tours - 1919
The season consisted of one week at Aberdeen’s His Majesty’s Theatre (AHMT), then one week at Dundee’s Her Majesty’s Theatre (DHMT). There followed four weeks at Glasgow’s Theatre Royal (GTR). Following a break of one week in Greenock (King's Theatre), there were two weeks at Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum (ERL), then later still another two in Glasgow (GTR). Ten weeks in total, followed by a further three in December to give thirteen. By now, the company were running a number of separate companies, the Phillips section giving the December performances.
w/c Mon Jan 20 Tales of Hoffmann Tue Tosca; Wed Tannhäuser; Thu Mignon; Fri Carmen; Sat m Madam Butterfly; Sat e Faust. AHMT
w/c Mon Jan 27 Tales of Hoffmann; Tue Tannhäuser; Wed Faust; Thu Madam Butterfly; Fri Mignon; Sat m Tales of Hoffmann; Sat e Trovatore. DHMT
w/c Mon 3 Feb Tannhauser; Tue Bohème; Wed Madam Butterfly; Thu Trovatore; Fri Tosca; Sat m Mignon; Sat e Tales of Hoffmann. GTR
w/c Mon 10 Feb Cav and Pag; Tue Faust; Wed Carmen; Thu Tales of Hoffmann; Fri Madam Butterfly; Sat m Tosca; Sat e Maritana. GTR
w/c Mon 17 Feb Bohème; Tue Tannhäuser; Wed Mignon; Thu Cav & Pag; Fri Don Giovanni; Sat m Tales of Hoffmann; Sat e Trovatore. GTR
w/c Mon 24 Feb Carmen; Tue Rigoletto; Wed Carmen; Thu Faust; Fri Tannhauser; Sat m Madam Butterfly; Sat e Bohemian Girl. GTR
w/c Mon 3 Mar Company performing in Liverpool
w/c Mon 10 Mar Tales of Hoffmann; Tue Tosca ; Wed Faust; Thu Madam Butterfly; Fri Don Giovanni; Sat m Cav & Pag; Sat e Maritana. ERL
w/c Mon 17 Mar Tosca; Tue Tales of Hoffmann; Wed Tannhäuser; Thu Bohème; Fri Carmen; Sat m Mignon; Sat e Trovatore; ERL
w/c Mon 30 Jun Tales of Hoffmann; Tue Carmen; Wed Mignon; Thu Cav & Pag; Fri Three Masks; Sat m Madam Butterfly; Sat e Faust GTR
w/c Mon 7 Jul Three Masks; Tue Trovatore; Wed Daughter of the Regiment; Thu Carmen; Fri Marriage of Figaro; Sat m Tales of Hoffmann; Sat e Maritana GTR
w/c Mon 1 Dec Tales of Hoffmann; Tue Carmen; Wed Faust; Thu Cav and Pag; Fri Tannhauser; Sat m Romeo and Juliet; Sat e Rigoletto.
w/c Mon 8 Dec Cav & Pag; Tue Trovatore; Wed Romeo and Juliet; Thu Lily of Killarney; Fri Faust; Sat m Traviata; Sat e Tales of Hoffmann.
w/c Mon 15 Dec Carmen; Tue Tannhäuser; Wed Maritana; Thu Rigoletto; Fri Romeo and Juliet; Sat m Cav & Pag; Sat e Tales of Hoffmann.
Thirteen weeks @seven performances = ninety-one
Thirteen Tales of Hoffmann
Eight Carmen; Tannhauser; Faust
Seven; Madam Butterfly; Cav and Pag
Six Mignon
Five Trovatore; Tosca
Four Cav and Pag; Maritana
Three Bohème; Romeo and Juliet
Two Three Masks; Don Giovanni; Rigoletto
One Marriage of Figaro; Daughter of the Regiment; Bohemian Girl; Traviata; Lily of Killarney
Gladys Seager (Dec 13 m)
Herbert Talbot (Dec 13 m)
William Minette (Dec 13 m)
May Watson (Dec 13 m)
Furness Williams (Dec 13 m)
Eveline Bailey (Dec 13 m)
Hubert Dunkerley (Dec 13 m)
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