Opera Scotland

Assedio di Calais 1998Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD)

Read more about the opera Siege of Calais

A little-known serious work of the bel canto school was an enterprising choice for the Academy students to test their technique, and for the most part it showed a good deal of promise, at least musically.

As for the work itself, it is almost top-notch Donizetti, crammed with beautiful melodies. That ir was completely unknown until recently seems astonishing. Exhumed by Opera Rara for their 1988 recording, L'assedio quickly appeared at Wexford (1991) and the Guildhall in London (1993). The Academy here provided its Scottish premiere. There is lots more unknown treasure to be explored in this area of the repertoire.

Cast details are from a copy of the programme in the RCS archive.