The Scotsman (2 April) welcomed a rare addition to the current operatic repertoire, and commented that it attracted a large and very enthusiastic audience. For the Edinburgh performance, John Myrrdin replaced John Torney, who was indisposed.
The spring 1938 Glasgow season by Carl Rosa began on Monday 4 April. While the repertoire was largely conventional, there was a follow-up to Die Fledermaus, which the company had taken up a few seasons before.
The Gipsy Baron was essentially unknown in Britain. It had been seen in London, in an amateur production, as recently as 1935. This Carl Rosa staging was therefore the first British professional production. The Edinburgh evening was the second performance by the Rosa, and so the work's Scottish premiere. The production had been premiered in Nottingham on 10 March.
The Scotsman review (15 April) of the Glasgow performance spoke of a large and enthusiastic audience. "Its swift action, with a gay Hungary as the background, good fun, and sparkling music, all made for the brightest of entertainment, the enjoyment of which was appreciably augmented by the excellent performance of the ballet. All the principals sang and acted with distinction."
Cast details are from a programme in the A M Gardiner collection (Mitchell Library).
Carl Rosa Opera's Scottish visit in 1938 consisted of one week in Edinburgh, followed by two weeks in Glasgow.
Monday Mar 28 Rigoletto; Tue Fledermaus; Wed Tannhauser; Thu Boheme; Fri Gipsy Baron; Sat m Faust, Sat e Carmen
Mon Apr 4 Rigoletto; Tue Butterfly; Wed Fledermaus; Thu Tannhauser; Fri Gipsy Baron; Sat m Tales of Hoffman; Sat e Carmen.
Mon 11 Apr Cav & Pag; Tue Barber of Seville; Wed Trovatore; Thu Gipsy Baron; Fri Traviata; Sat m Fledermaus; Sat e Boheme
John Myrddin (Apr 1)
John Torney (Apr 14)
© Copyright Opera Scotland 2024
Site by SiteBuddha