Opera Scotland

Faust 1921Carl Rosa Opera Company

Read more about the opera Faust

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 .

When the Carl Rosa and other companies were on tour, chorus members were often drawn from local amateur companies. The relationship was fostered over the years and was mutually beneficial - quite apart from keeping costs down and impact up. Friends and relatives would no doubt boost attendances.

Little documentary evidence of this has survived. However, below we see photographs of some of the members of Glasgow Grand Opera who took part in this season's Faust.

The Tour

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.

 

Sources

The cast for Aberdeen on 7 January is from a programme in Aberdeen City Library.   Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the March cast is the appearance of Eva Turner as Marguerite - she was not yet undertaking the heavier roles that would soon be the mainstay of her international career. The details of that performance are from a programme in the Gardiner collection (Mitchell Library).