Opera Scotland

Rigoletto 1950Carl Rosa Opera Company

Read more about the opera Rigoletto

Cast details are taken from a programme in the National Library of Scotland. the Scotsman review (1 April). "It was perhaps a pity that the opening scene in the Duke's palace was staged in so perfunctory and poverty stricken a manner, for it was no foretaste of the way in which the following scenes were mounted. The bad impression made at first by the rather wooden appearance of the courtiers on an almost bare stage was, however, quickly dispelled, and both scenery and lighting were effective enough afterwards. The result was it was possible to enjoy everything from this point."

The reviewer commented on the importance of distinct and clear enunciation in opera, saying it was difficult at first to follow what was being sung. "Miss Catley... has a lovely soprano voice which she used to great effect...Her performance throughout was compelling."

"The evening, however, owed its success to a magnificent piece of acting by Joseph Satariano as the jester. Mr Satariano stressed the pity of the part most and perhaps gave us too little of the vicious side of Rigoletto's character, but the essential quality of his rich baritone voice was beyond dispute."

"Despite a light voice, Mr Lewis's Duke was effective, and there were also impressive performances by Donald Campbell as Sparafucile and Ernest Thomas as Monterone."

The 1950 tour of Scotland by Carl Rosa consisted of two weeks in Edinburgh and four in Glasgow.

Edinburgh w/c Mon 27 Mar Cav and Pag; Tue Traviata; Wed Faust; Thu Tosca; Fri Rigoletto; Sat m Butterfly; Sat e Barber of Seville

Edinburgh w/c Mon 4 Apr Bohème; Tue Butterfly; Wed Carmen; Thu Barber; Fri Cav and Pag; Sat m Bohème; Sat e Barber.

Glasgow w/c Mon 10 Apr Cav and Pag; Tue Bohème; Wed Carmen; Thu Traviata; Fri Rigoletto; Sat m Butterfly; Sat e Faust.

Glasgow w/c Mon 17 Apr Butterfly; Tue Barber; Wed Bohème; Thu Faust; Fri Cav and Pag; Sat m Carmen; Sat e Butterfly.

Glasgow w/c Mon 24 Apr Carmen; Tue Traviata; Wed Rigoletto; Thu Tosca; Fri Faust; Sat m Barber; Sat e Bohème;

Glasgow w/c Mon 1 May Rigoletto; Tue Water Carrier; Wed Butterfly; Thu Cav and Pag; Fri Water Carrier; Sat m Bohème; Sat e Carmen.

 Six weeks of seven performances.