Opera Scotland

Barbiere di Siviglia 1934Carl Rosa Opera Company

Read more about the opera Barber of Seville

"Music, grace and fun - which did not disdain bits of slapstick - combined to make one of the happiest of evenings for an audience that enjoyed every aspect of the piece and the acting, according to the review in the Aberdeen P&J of 14 April, which was headed 'Carl Rosa Company at its best'

Of the Edinburgh performance dated 21 April, the following day's Scotsman pointed out the 'ensembles call for absolutely perfect teamwork...it should be treated as a comedy, and not really as a farce, tolerably uproarious as the comedy nevertheless becomes. Last night's performance was from first to last eminenetly artistic.'

The Carl Rosa's Scottish tour in the spring of 1934 began with two weeks at the Glasgow Theatre Royal, followed by one each at His Majesty's, Aberdeen and the King's, Edinburgh.

The performance schedule was as follows:

First week (Glasgow), commencing 26 March: Mon Fledermaus; Tue Barber of Seville; Wed Cav & Pag; Thu Carmen; Fri Fledermaus; Sat mat Butterfly, Sat eve Faust.

Second week, commencing 2 April: Mon Barber; Tue Trovatore; Wed Carmen; Thu Don Giovanni; Fri Madam Butterfly; Sat mat Fledermaus; Sat eve Maritana.

Third week (Aberdeen), commencing 9 April: Mon Fledermaus; Tue Cav & Pag; Wed Carmen; Thu Faust; Fri Barber; Sat mat Fledermaus; Sat eve Maritana.

Fourth week (Edinburgh), commencing 16 April: Mon Fledermaus; Tue Carmen; Wed Don Giovanni; Thu Fledermaus; Fri Barber; Sat mat Faust; Sat eve Maritana.

Identical cast details for Glasgow and Aberdeen are taken from programmes in the Mitchell and Aberdeen City libraries, respectively.

There were two performances of that venerable double boll, Cav and Pag. Eight other operas were presented during the tour.