Opera Scotland

Étoile du nord 1889Carl Rosa Opera Company

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Carl Rosa had died in Paris on 30 April, 1889, only a few days before these spring  performances. L'étoile du nord was therefore the last opera to be staged under his personal supervision. The critic of the Glasgow Herald (7 May) expressed his sadness at the loss, stating that he had known Rosa from the days when the conductor was a student at Leipzig, and regretting that the theatre had not been closed as a tribute on 6 May, the very night of Rosa's burial.

Of that performance in Glasgow on 6 May, the Scottish premiere, the reviewer noted 'As usual with this company, the greatest care has been taken with the mise en scene. The chorus was in excellent form, and the whole performance gave evidence of that careful preparation and conscientious study on which the founder of this company has steadily insisted.'

Madame Burns in the final scene 'sang with  brilliance of execution which delighted the audience and won for her a perfect storm of applause'.  Miss Kate Drew's voice was thought to have 'gained in volume and lost nothing of its pleasing quality since she was last in Glasgow'. Of Charles Manners, who sang the role of Peter in Glasgow, it was said 'his acting is now more easy and graceful, and his voice is now more thoroughly under control.'

The adaptation was by Frank Pratt and Carl Rosa. 

Casts shown are as advertised for Edinburgh performances.