Henry Corri had a long career as a principal bass, particularly at the Covent Garden theatre. For a few years he even took over management of the company. Though his tenure as manager was not a long one, it resulted in some ambitious touring in the provinces.
This Scottish leg included visits to several centres, including Aberdeen, Dundee, Kilmarnock and Greenock. Most stays were of several weeks duration. The Dundee visit was extended from the initially announced two weeks to three.
On one evening, April 15, a Fast (local holiday) in Dundee, the company took the train to Arbroath, to give the citizens what may have been their first professional opera (The Barber of Seville plus two acts of Trovatore). In the middle of the visit, Corri married his prima donna, the Scottish soprano Ida Gilliess.
The repertoire, all sung in English, looks almost miraculous, including Norma, La sonnambula, Lucrezia Borgia, and Ernani, as well as Il trovatore, Lucia di Lammermoor, Faust, Fra Diavolo, The Barber of Seville, La cenerentola and Martha. The operas by British composers performed were The Bohemian Girl, The Rose of Castille, and Maritana. There was also a favourite classic, the oldest work on display, The Waterman (1774) by Dibdin, which was still a popular afterpiece.
Immediately after Dundee, for one week commencing Monday 19 April, the company played on a temporary stage fitted in the Corn Exchange Hall, Kilmarnock. After the opening Trovatore, with the same principals, the works performed were Sonnambula, Barber of Seville, Don Giovanni, Lucrezia Borgia and Faust.
Shortly afterwards, they appeared for several weeks through May (probably from May 10) at Greenock's Theatre Royal (dates and repertoire to be established).
Additional Scottish tour dates to be confirmed.
Miss Pullar (Mar 1)
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