Opera Scotland

Samson and Delilah 1926Carl Rosa Opera Company

Read more about the opera Samson et Dalila

The Carl Rosa's 1926 visit to Scotland ran from 15 February to 3 April, including two weeks in Edinburgh, four in Glasgow and one in Dundee.

The Edinburgh performance of Samson and Delilah was reviewed in the Scotsman of Wednesday, 17 February.

'The principal roles were all admirably filled. As Delilah, Miss Doris Woodall sang and acted with her usual dramatic and artistic effectiveness. The well-known airs in the second act fell gratefully upon the ear. Mr John Perry made an impressive Samson. He looks the part, and his singing and acting were characterised by a naturalness which carried conviction.'

'As for Mr Flintoff Moore in the part of the High Priest of Dagon, there can be nothing but high praise. His powerful, resonant voice and his fine histrionic ability made his interpretation something to be remembered. The minor parts were filled by competent artists. Special mention may be made of Mr Leslie Jones for the clarity of his delivery in the character of Abimelech, and also of Mr Frederick Clendon in the role of the Aged Hebrew.'

 

This seven week long Scottish tour, from 15 February to 3 April 1926, visited Edinburgh (two weeks), Glasgow (four) and Dundee (one). A highly unusual feature of the repertoire is the complete absence of operas by Wagner, still being given by the larger BNOC company that was also touring at this time. The Barber of Seville and La bohème, which would be a mainstay of the Carl Rosa company for the rest of its existence, now make a prominent appearance.

The Edinburgh schedule was:

First week (commencing 15 Feb): Mon Madam Butterfly, Tue Samson and Delilah, Wed Barber of Seville, Thu Faust, Fri Bohème, Sat mat Carmen, Sat eve Bohemian Girl.

Second week (commencing 22 Feb): Mon Cav & Pag, Tue Rigoletto, Wed Butterfly, Thu Maritana, Fri Trovatore, Sat mat Bohème, Sat eve Carmen.

Glasgow saw all of the above, plus a single performance of The Marriage of Figaro. An advertised performance of Fidelio, to be given on 26 March, was replaced by a further performance of Barber of Seville, according to the Glasgow Herald of 27 March. 

Dundee's programme was equally popular - Cav & Pag, Barber, Rigoletto, Bo Girl, Bohème, Butterfly and Maritana.