Opera Scotland

Don Giovanni 1992Scottish Opera

Read more about the opera Don Giovanni

This was one of a series of distinctly unmemorable attempts on Don Giovanni which appeared once and then returned to the shadows -  never mind there’ll be another one along in a minute.

Rosemary Joshua and Glenn Winslade made notable early appearances. But Steven Page, Gidon Saks, Linda McLeod and Virginia Kerr, all gifted singing actors with the potential to perform these difficult roles well, nevertheless struggled to make an impression. They seemed to be suffering from a lack of direction.

The designs were dark blue semi-abstract shapes - bland and eminently forgettable, and Robert Dean, a young conductor who usually found an appropriate way into a work, on this occasion lacked both drive and inspiration.

Even the programme cover left something to be desired. Not quite black, it was supposed to allow the name of the opera to be read. Click on the image to enlarge it and see if you can read it?

 

Scottish Opera's Season - 1991/92

At this period, Scottish Opera generally mounted nine main-stage operas each season, in groups of three. If funds allowed, there would be a small-scale production as well. For the 1991/92 season, the piano-accompanied tour, with 33 performances through the autumn, was of Maria Stuarda. The main stage schedule began at the Edinburgh Festival with a new production of La Clemenza di Tito. There were two more new stagings - Die Walküre and Don Giovanni. The six revivals were Madam Butterfly, Carmen, La traviata, Billy Budd, The Marriage of Figaro and Aïda.