Opera Scotland

King Arthur 1889Broughty Ferry Choral Union

Read more about the opera King Arthur 2

This was the first public performance of Smieton's successful cantata, which quickly went on to receive over 100 performances around Britain. For this occasion the conductor was the composer himself, a local resident. The choir was seventy strong. The orchestra of twenty was led by Mr W H Cole, a player with an established reputation. The three soloists were all well known.

The cantata formed the first part of the entertainment. After the interval there followed a miscellaneous programme of excerpts, conducted by Mr George Neale. The programme was:

Weber: Overture Preciosa. 

Sullivan: 'Come, Margarita, Come' The Martyr of Antioch (Mr Probert).

Haydn: 'With Verdure Clad' The Creation (Miss Petterson).

Schubert: Two Movements from the Octet (Eight members of the Orchestra).

Benedict: Song 'Rage Thou Angry Storm' (Mr Riley).

Glinka: Polonaise and Chorus 'Noble Chief' A Life for the Tsar.

Note - The Volunteer Hall in Broughty Ferry was built around 1870 and was the largest venue for social gatherings as well as housing the local group of volunteers. It was later much altered, and will be remembered variously as the Regal Cinema (with an entrance on Queen Street), a bingo hall, and then a car showroom.  To increase space for the latter it was demolished in 2023.