Opera Scotland

Faust 1966Scottish Opera

Read more about the opera Faust

This was the only revival of Anthony Besch’s interesting staging, and it repeated the success of that first 1964 outing. The company has not touched the work (or the composer) since.

Indeed, while Faust has gradually regained its old position of favour in most of the world's major opera houses - directors have found several interesting concepts - it still remains ignored by professionals in Scotland. The Edinburgh Festival did at least bring in a staging from Bratislava in the nineties that was thoroughly enjoyable.

The spring 1966 season was dominated by the new productions of Die Walküre and Falstaff, both directed by Peter Ebert.  In addition to the revival of Faust, Anthony Besch also staged the third new production - Britten's Albert Herring.

This cast was generally excellent, with a company debut by American Phyllis Curtin and further appearances by two Commonwealth baritones, Donald McIntyre (New Zealand) and Robert Savoie (Canada). The equally good Scottish contingent was led by the internationally successful William McAlpine and young Roderick Brydon, who was always a naturally stylish conductor of French music.

 

Scottish Opera's Fifth Season - 1966

The season involved tours to Glasgow King’s Theatre, HMT Aberdeen, Perth Theatre and Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre. The productions were Albert Herring (9), Falstaff (7),  Valkyrie (8) and Faust (5).  Twenty-nine performances. Perth 2, Aberdeen 5, Glasgow 11, Edinburgh 11.

Albert Herring evening performances were at 1900, matinees 1400; Falstaff performances at 1930; Valkyrie at 1800; Faust at 1900.

The complete schedule for the season was:

Perth, w/c Mon 11 Apr:  Mon 11 Albert Herring;  Wed 13 Albert Herring.

Glasgow, w/c Mon 2 May:  Fri 6 Falstaff;  Sat 7 Albert Herring.

Glasgow, w/c Mon 9 May:  Thu 12 Albert Herring;  Fri 13 Valkyrie;  Sat 14 Falstaff.

Glasgow, w/c Mon 16 May:  Tue 17 Valkyrie; Wed 18 Faust; Thu 19 m Albert Herring; Thu 19 e Falstaff;  Fri 20 Valkyrie;  Sat 21 Faust.

Edinburgh, w/c Mon 23 May:  Tue 24 Falstaff;  Wed 25 Albert Herring;  Thu 26 Falstaff;  Fri 27 Valkyrie; Sat 28 Faust.

Ednburgh, w/c Mon 31:  Tue 31 Albert Herring;  Wed 1 Jun Valkyrie;  Thu 2 m Albert Herring;  Thu 2 e Falstaff;  Fri 3 Faust; Sat 4 Valkyrie.

Aberdeen, w/c Mon 6 Jun:  Tue 7 Valkyrie;  Wed 8 Albert Herring;  Thu 9 Falstaff;  Fri 10 Valkyrie;  Sat 11 Faust.