Opera Scotland

Falka 1895Mr Horace Lingard's Comic Opera Company

Read more about the opera Falka

Horace Lingard's company toured for several seasons with a repertoire of French operettas by Offenbach's successors.  Here we have a two week Dundee run - six performances of Falka (by Chassaigne), alternating with three of Pepita (by Lecocq) and three of the Fife-born librettist Henry Farnie's adaptation of Planquette's Old Guard.

The playing order was:

First week: Mon 09/12 Old Guard, Tue 10 Falka; Wed 11 Old Guard; Thu 12 Falka; Fri 13 Old Guard; Sat 14 Falka.

Second week: Mon 16/12 Pepita; Tue 17/12 Pepita. Wed 18/12 Falka; Thu 19 Falka; Fri 20 Pepita; Sat 21 Falka.

Further Scottish dates to be confirmed.

 

The Bellman : Friday, December 13  1895    p8

Dramatic Notes - Her Majesty’s Theatre - The Horace Lingard Comic Opera Company

            On Tuesday, the old favourite, Falka, was staged, when Miss Presano took the title role, and Mr Lingard that of Folbach, the bumptious and vainglorious governor of Montgratz.  Needless to say Mr Lingard delighted everybody with his treatment of this humorous character.  He was ably backed up by Mr Ascot as Brother Pelican, a much better part than that of the night previous, and in which he appeared to much advantage.  We doubt if Pelican has ever had a much better exponent than Mr Ascot.  The humour of the part was well conceived, and the various catch phrases were judiciously used and never overdone.  Mr Albert Jecks made a very good Tancred, and Mr F Sutton both sang and acted well as Boleslas, the Chief of the Tzigani.  Mr Fred Parr again appeared to advantage as Arthur.  As Falka Miss Presano makes a decided hit, her fine singing and graceful acting calling forth loud applause.  Miss Marston is seen to more advantage as Edwige, and enters into the spirit of the part with zest.  Miss Jessie Corrie makes a gallant Captain of the Pages, and all the others assist in making the grand success.

            All the choruses go well and most harmoniously under the watchful eye of the experienced conductor, Mr W H Broughton, who also conducts the orchestra through the mazes of the bewitching score, Mr Loseby being leader.  The last performance of The Old Guard is given to-night, and Falka will be repeated to-morrow evening.

            Next week concludes the popular engagement of the Horace Lingard Comic Opera Company, when Lecocq’s masterpiece, Pepita will be given on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, and on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, the favourite opera, Falka will be again presented.  This engagement has given much satisfaction among all classes of theatre-goers, and we are sure that this additional week’s engagement will be fully taken advantage of.