Opera Scotland

Artaxerxes 1769Edinburgh Theatre Royal Company

Read more about the opera Artaxerxes

'Mr Tenducci', as he was billed in Edinburgh, was a Sienese castrato Giusto Ferdinando Tenducci (c1736-1790). 

Tenducci was a well known performer on the London stage. His first visit to Britain beginning in 1758 saw him create the role of Arbaces (written for a high soprano) in 1762. He returned to London in 1768, and clearly toured widely. It is quite important to find him still performing a part he had created seven years previously. This surely indicates the immediate popularity gained by the piece. It remained popular, and was performed regularly for over half a century.

This performance in Edinburgh is advertised as his benefit, for which he was entitled to a much larger share of the takings. It is likely also to be his last Edinburgh performance brfore heading south again.

Further dates and performances to be confirmed.