Opera Scotland

Bohème 1991Scottish Opera

Read more about the opera Bohème

Like the 1989 run, this revival of the Moshinsky production proved to be accident-prone. It may be that shortage of rehearsal time was the root of the problem. Whatever the cause, the staff producer made little attempt to revive Moshinsky's actions, but seemed to do his own thing, which was much like any other staging you were likely to see. The orchestra was relentlessly loud, unpleasantly so at times. The Mimi sensibly sang within her own capabilities, and was inaudible quite frequently. The second Rodolfo, with less experience, tried to compete with the band and his tone became raw as a result. The lower voices survived by following their own counsel.

It was curious to see Simon Keenlyside, having been an excellent Marcello, take on the less high profile role of Schaunard. However the big operatic managements such as Covent Garden are unlikely to offer Marcello to a novice baritone, but they have several 'try out' roles at their disposal. Schaunard is one, Silvio in Pagliacci is perhaps another. When he progressed to Covent Garden, those were two of the roles he soon took on.

 

Scottish Opera's Season 1990/91

The 1990/91 season of Scottish Opera featured nine operas, most notably the world premiere of a new piece by Judith Weir, The Vanishing Bridegroom and the British premiere of an unknown American work, Regina by Mark Blitzstein. The three other new productions were Les Troyens, Fidelio and Falstaff. There were also revivals of Bohème,  Tosca, The Cunning Little Vixen and The Barber of Seville. It was also the first season in which the company introduced supertitles, though not yet when the work was being sung in English.