Opera Scotland

Iolanthe 1986Scottish Opera

Read more about the opera Iolanthe

Scottish Opera mounted its second production of a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta with complete success.

Keith Warner and his designer produced lots of fresh ideas, while still preserving a significant element of the tradition. The set was based on piles of 'red boxes' which could be cleverly adapted, and the notorious entry of the peers was beautifully handled, with appropriate references to tweeds and grouse moors.

The company recruited Gillian Knight, a D’Oyly Carte veteran, as the Queen.

Thomas Hemsley, not so obvious a candidate for this style of entertainment, turned out to make an excellent Lord Chancellor, and musically the piece came over very strongly.

 

Scottish Opera's Season - 1986/87

This season comprised Nine main stage productions plus an Opera-Go-Ro und staging with piano, and a most unusual Edinburgh Festival event.   The new productions were Carmen,  Iolanthe,   Intermezzo,  Flying Dutchman,   From the House of the Dead,  Billy Budd,  and Madama Butterfly.  There were two revivals, The Marriage of Figaro and The Barber of Seville.  The Opera-Go Round production was of Verdi's Macbeth,  The season opened at the Edinburgh Festival, with a concert including music from Gershwin's Girl Crazy.