Opera Scotland

Tannhäuser 1920Carl Rosa Opera Company

Read more about the opera Tannhäuser

The Carl Rosa's spring 1920 season in Scotland began on Monday, 16 February at Glasgow Theatre Royal, where they stayed for eight weeks until Saturday, 10 April. This was followed by two weeks at the Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh, from Monday, 12 April to Saturday, 25 April. After a two month gap the company returned to Glasgow for three more weeks from Monday, 28 June to Saturday, 17 July. 

On Monday 13 December, they began a four-week Christmas - New Year season in Aberdeen, with a completely different group of performers from those who had visited the central belt in the spring. The Directors were billed as Mrs Carl Rosa and Walter van Noorden.  The Acting Manager was Edward Taylor and Stage Director Harison Cook. Conductors were Wynn Reeves and John Cope, with Alfeo Turato as their assistant.

The first week, commencing 13 December, was: Mon Tales of Hoffmann; Tue Tannhäuser; Wed Faust; Thu Carmen; Fri Bohème; Sat mat Mignon; Sat eve Trovatore.

Second week, commencing Monday 20 December: Mon Cav & Pag; Tue Madam Butterfly; Wed Rigoletto; Thu Marriage of Figaro; Fri Daughter of the Regiment; Sat mat Tales of Hoffmann; Sat eve Carmen.

Third week, commencing Monday 27 December: Mon Faust; Tue Trovatore' Wed Pro Patria & Pagliacci; Thu Bohème ; Fri Tannhäuser; Sat mat Madam Butterfly; Sat eve Maritana.

Fourth week, commencing Monday 3 January 1921: Mon Carmen; Tue Tales of Hoffmann; Wed Mignon; Thu Angelus; Fri Faust; Sat mat Trovatore; Sat eve Bohemian Girl.

Several of the singers in the new team enjoyed notable careers with Carl Rosa and other companies, including Ethel Austen, Constance Willis, Olive Gilbert, Eda Bennie and Appleton Moore, only the last of whom is in this performance of Tannhäuser. The casts for 14 and 31 December are from programmes in Aberdeen City Library. There is also a copy for 13 December in the V&A Collection in London, and one in Edinburgh Central Library for the performance on 15 April.