Opera Scotland

Rigoletto 1942Carl Rosa Opera Company

Read more about the opera Rigoletto

A programme for the performance in Glasgow on 4 April in the OperaScotland collection yielded a full cast. The production was reviewed in the Scotsman (17 April), which yielded some cast details.

"Last night's performance was notable for the appearance of a new Gilda, Gwen Catley, well known from her broadcasting work as a delightful singer. Last night Miss Catley had a role which suited her to perfection. Her singing and acting had that quality of youth for which one hopes in a Gilda, but which is not always obtained."

Of Hubert Dunkerley as Rigoletto, "neither the grotesque humour of the opening scene, nor the tortured grief of the wronged father were ever overdone, while his singing always rang true."

"The opera as a whole had an excellent rendering under the experienced direction of Mr Charles Webber. The theatre was again crowded."

As far as Scotland was concerned, the 1942 Carl Rosa season consisted of three weeks in Glasgow, followed by two in Edinburgh. Crowded houses were reported, evidenced in part by the Wednesday matinees.

Mon 16 Mar Traviata; Tue Barber of Seville; Wed mat Butterfly; Wed Evg Trovatore; Thu Rigoletto; Fri Butterfly; Sat m Barber of Seville; Sat e Faust

Mon 23 Mar Barber of Seville; Tue Boheme; Wed mat Trovatore; Wed evg Butterfly; Thu Faust; Fri Rigoletto; Sat m Traviata; Sat e Boheme.

Mon 30 Mar Barber of Seville; Tue Madam Butterfly; Wed m Barber of Seville; Wed evg Traviata; Thu Marriage of Figaro; Fri Trovatore; Sat m Marriage of Figaro; Sat e Rigoletto.

Mon 6 April Barber of Seville; Tuesday Butterfly; Wed m Marriage of Figaro; Wed evg Faust; Thu Boheme; Fri Traviata; Sat m Marriage of Figaro; Sat e Trovatore.

Mon 13 Apr Traviata; Tue Marriage of Figaro; Wed m Boheme; Wed evg Trovatore; Thu Rigoletto; Fri Barber of Seville; Friday evg Faust