Opera Scotland

Nozze di Figaro 1966Sadler's Wells Opera

Read more about the opera Marriage of Figaro

Spring 1966 saw Sadler's Wells spend a week in each of the three cities that had a suitable theatre, with Edinburgh followed by Aberdeen then Glasgow. The programme for the first week, commencing 21 March, was as follows: Mon Flying Dutchman; Tue Marriage of Figaro; Wed Hansel and Gretel; Thu Flying Dutchman; Fri Thieving Magpie; Sat mat Hansel and Gretel; Sat eve Marriage of Figaro. The schedule in the other two cities was identical, with the single exception that in Glasgow Figaro was replaced by The Barber of Seville.

This new production of Figaro, launched in 1965, was of historic importance for two reasons. Firstly a change to the musical order in Act 3, suggested by Robert Moberly, introduced a more logical playing sequence than that originally adopted because of the necessary doubling of parts at the premiere. Secondly, Charles Mackerras, the original conductor, introduced some new ornamentation, something people were unaccustomed to, but far closer to what the original singers would have performed.

Two of the singers were familiar - John Cameron had sung Figaro for many years, and Patricia Bartlett, so often the Countess in the previous staging, here sang Marcellina. The young Scottish soprano Ann Baird spent several seasons in the Sadler's Wells Chorus, singing short roles, but returned home to join Scottish Opera soon afterwards. Janice Chapman, another Australian, had appeared with Scottish Opera the previous year, and spent several seasons with Sadler's Wells, as well as working at Covent Garden.

Cast details are from a programme in the Aberdeen City Library.