Opera Scotland

Bohème 1948Carl Rosa Opera Company

Read more about the opera Bohème

The production was reviewed in the Scotsman (8 April). Tara Barry as Mimi was credited with charm of appearance and grace of manner on the part of the singer. "Her singing is not of the most robust type, but it is all the better for that in this role, and she has such a fine command of the mezza voce that the last act becomes particularly moving and impressive."

"John Myrrdin, although occasionally inclined to hit the note not quite truly in the centre, and somewhat lacking in spontaneity of gesture, brought considerable vocal power to the part of Rudolph; Arthur Fear was an excellent Marcel (there the spontaneity of the natural actor was evident); and frederick Wood was a good Schaunard."

"The Musetta of Gita de la Fuente, sometimes rather shrill, was yet a convincing study, and Liddell Peddieson's Benoit was performed in the manner of one who has a certain comfortable routing in such parts. the orchestra, under Arthur Hammond, effectively contributed its share to the general quality of the performance."

The full Bohème cast is taken from a programme for 13 April in Aberdeen City Library.

The Carl Rosa 1948 tour involved two weeks in Edinburgh, then one in Aberdeen and four Glasgow; seven weeks of seven performances each week. The repertoire consisted of works by Rossini (Barber of Seville); Verdi (Trovatore, Traviata); Puccini (Bohème, Tosca, Butterfly) and Bizet (Carmen)

w/c Mon 29 Mar Carmen; Tue Traviata; Wed Tosca; Thu Butterfly; Fri Barber; Sat m Bohème; Sat e Carmen

w/c Mon 5 Apr Butterfly; Tue Carmen; Wed Bohème; Thu Barber; Fri Trovatore; Sat m Butterfly; Sat e Traviata.

w/c Mon 12 Apr Tosca; Tue Bohème; Wed Traviata; Thu Butterfly; Fri Carmen; Sat m Butterfly; Sat e Trovatore.

w/c Mon 19 Apr Tosca; Tue Butterfly; Wed Traviata; Thu Carmen; Fri Barber; Sat m Butterfly; Sat e Traviata.

w/c Mon 26 Apr Traviata; Tue Carmen; Wed Bohème; Thu Barber; Fri Tosca; Sat m Bohème; Sat e Traviata.

w/c Mon 3 May Butterfly; Tue Traviata; Wed Barber; Thu Tosca; Fri Traviata; Sat m Carmen; Sat e Barber.

w/c Mon 10 May Bohème; Tue Tosca; Wed Butterfly; Thu Carmen; Fri Barber; Sat m Butterfly; Sat e Traviata.