Opera Scotland

Zauberflöte 1917Carl Rosa Opera Company

Read more about the opera Magic Flute

The Daily Record (24 February) gave some information.

"Existence in ancient Egypt, if the Magic Flute, presented last night by the Carl Rosa Opera Company at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow, is any criterion, was not the drab affair the plain man for so long has pictured.  The versatility of Mozart's genius is revealed strikingly in the opera.  There is unmistakeable devotional majesty in the vocal addresses to Isis, and with equal charm the music trips in the lighter passages, where the gaiety is infectious."

"Principals and chorus alike excelled themselves.  The chief roles were filled by Mr Edward Davies and Miss Dorothy Lawson Taylor, whose solos were particularly appreciated.  If less frequently heard, Miss Beatrice Miranda, a truly regal 'Queen of the Night' and Mr Arthur Winckworth, an imposing Sarastro, delighted on each appearance.  Much of the merriment of the opera was provided by Mr Frederick Clendon, who, as Papageno, had a congenial part."

The Glasgow Herald (24 February) corroborates cast information, the reviewer stating "The chorus sang well, and the orchestra, under Mr Henriquez de la Fuente, played the delightful instrumental part  with sufficient lightness."

The Daily Record (8 March) mentions cast changes.

"Mr Hedmondt was the Tamino, and he has to be congratulated on a fine performance.  whatever vocal limitations he may now have, his enunciation and musical feeling leaves nothing to be desired, and he never fails histrionically.  Miss Dorothy Moulton was quite equal to the music of the Queen of the Night. Otherwise, also, the various roles were satisfactorily filled by by the same cast as last week, and chorus and orchestra were excellent."

Performances by Carl Rosa Opera in Scotland during 1917 consisted of four weeks at Glasgow’s Theatre Royal then two at Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum. The full schedule was as follows:-

w/c Mon 19 Feb Tales of Hoffmann; Tue Madam Butterfly; Wed Lily of Killarney; Thu Faust; Fri Magic Flute; Sat m Madam Butterfly; Sat e Maritana.

w/c Mon 26 Feb Aida; Tue Tales of Hoffmann; Wed Madam Butterfly; Thu Trovatore; Fri Marriage of Figaro; Sat m Cav and Pag; Sat e Bohemian Girl.

w/c Mon 5 Mar Carmen; Tue Trovatore; Wed Magic Flute; Thu Aida; Fri Madam Butterfly; Sat m Tales of Hoffmann; Sat e Faust.

w/c Mon 12 Mar Cav and Pag; Tue Marriage of Figaro; Wed Rigoletto; Thu Madam Butterfly; Fri Carmen; Sat m Faust; Sat e Trovatore.

w/c Mon 19 Mar Tales of Hoffmann; Tue Faust; Wed Madam Butterfly; Thu Carmen; Fri Marriage of Figaro; Sat m Tales of Hoffmann; Sat e Trovatore

w/c Mon 26 Mar Rigoletto; Tue Lily of Killarney; Wed Aida; Thu Tales of Hoffmann; Fri Attack on the Mill; Sat m Carmen; Sat e Maritana.

Six Tales of Hoffmann; Madam Butterfly 

Four Faust; Trovatore; Carmen

Three Aida; Marriage of Figaro

Two Cav and Pag; Lily of Killarney; Magic Flute; Maritana; Rigoletto.

One Attack on the Mill