"La Traviata has been denied us too long." opened the review in the Aberdeen Evening Express (3 April).
"Last night's enthusiasm at His Majesty's Theatre was the proof of that. Brilliant conducting and admirable singing made this a memorable performance, one fit to rank with the Rigoletto of the previous night. Perhaps, after all, it was worth waiting for. The sad story of Violetta's waywardness will always grip - at any rate so long as it is wedded to the wealth of melody to which Verdi set it. It has atmosphere. Arthur Hammond caught us up in this with the overture. He wrapped us round with it with aria, duet and chorus until we were clothed in sentiment, and melody held us in thrall. It was that sort of performance. Many grand Violettas have come our way. Elizabeth Thielmann can hold her head high amongst them. Here is a voice that is mellifluous over its whole range, in piano or fortissimo. There is no suggestion of edge, no stridency and she can play and look, as well as sing, the part. George Chitty's Alfred is realistic. He has many vocal opportunities for lyric singing of which he makes full use. As his father, Joseph Satariano is a vocal tour de force. If it had been allowed, his 'Provence' would have stopped the show, and not merely because it is an ever popular aria. The others fitted in admirably. Chorus work was sympathetic, and the orchestra responded delightfully to Mr Hammond's wooing expressive hands."
The Carl Rosa tour of Scotland in 1952 was notable for its introduction of the new George Lloyd opera John Socman. However this was not brought to Aberdeen.
The full Scottish schedule was as follows:
Aberdeen (His Majesty's) - Week commencing 31 March: Mon Carmen, Tue Rigoletto, Wed Traviata, Thu Faust, Fri Barber of Seville, Sat mat Bohème, Sat eve Trovatore.
Edinburgh (King's) - Week commencing 7 April: Mon Flying Dutchman, Tue Bohème, Wed Barber of Seville, Thu Rigoletto, Fri John Socman, Sat mat Butterfly, Sar eve Faust.
Week commencing Monday 14 April: Mon Cav & Pag, Tue Traviata, Wed Trovatore, Thu Butterfly, Fri Tosca, Sat mat Bohème, Sat eve Carmen.
Glasgow (Theatre Royal) - Week commencing Monday 21 April: Mon Traviata, Tue Bohème, Wed Barber, Thu Dutchman, Fri Rigoletto, Sat mat Butterfly, Sat eve Faust.
W/c Monday 28 April: Mon Barber, Tue Hoffmann, Wed Butterfly, Thu Cav & Pag, Fri Carmen, Sat mat Bohème, Sat eve Trovatore.
Wk/c Monday 5 May: Mon Carmen, Tue Dutchman, Wed Rigoletto, Thu Faust, Fri John Socman, Sat mat Carmen, Sat eve Bohème.
Week commencing Monday 12 May: Mon Butterfly, Tue Tosca, Wed Hoffmann, Thu Trovatore, Fri Traviata, Sat mat Barber, Sat eve Cav & Pag.
Cast details are from a programme in Aberdeen City Library.
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