Cast details are taken from a programme in the A M Gardiner collection (Mitchell Library). In a time of wartime austerity, this single flimsy sheet provides details of the first four performances of the week, including a Wednesday matinee - Bohème, Rigoletto, Butterfly and Figaro.
It indicates that for this performance there were several late changes, including conductor Michael Collins in place of Charles Webber. Kingsley Lark stood in for Hubert Dunkerley in the title role. In addition, the superb bass Norman Allin was unable to appear as Sparafucile, who has a prominent role in Act 1, Scene 2 and in Act 3. Instead the part was taken by Appleton Moore, already cast as Monterone in the first scene and the second act - an unusual feat of doubling.
As far as Scotland was concerned, the 1943 Carl Rosa season consisted of three weeks in Glasgow, followed by two in Edinburgh. Crowded houses were reported, further evidence being the introduction of some Wednesday matinees.
Glasgow w/c 15 Mar: Mon Bohème; Tue Rigoletto; Wed m Butterfly; Wed e Marriage of Figaro; Thu Barber of Seville; Fri Traviata; Sat m Merry Wives of Windsor; Sat e Faust.
Glasgow w/c 22 Mar: Mon Butterfly; Tues Merry Wives; Wed m Marriage of Figaro; Wed e Faust; Thu Bohème; Fri Barber of Seville; Sat m Trovatore; Sat e Rigoletto.
Glasgow w/c 29 Mar: Mon Merry Wives; Tue Traviata; Wed m Rigoletto; Wed e Figaro; Thu Butterfly; Fri; Bohème; Sat m Barber; Sat e Trovatore.
Edinburgh w/c 5 Apr: Mon Butterfly; Tue Figaro; Wed m Bohème; Wed e Merry Wives; Thu Barber; Fri Traviata; Sat m Rigoletto; Sat e Trovatore.
Edinburgh w/c 12 Apr: Mon Bohème; Tue Barber of Seville; Wed m Figaro; Wed e Faust; Thu Butterfly Fri Merry Wives; Sat m Rigoletto; Sat e Trovatore.
Forty performances of nine operas, with Merry Wives an unusual addition.
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