Opera Scotland

Vida breve 1958Edinburgh International Festival

Read more about the opera Vida breve

This double-bill of Falla's little-known opera and extremely famous ballet at the 1958 Festival represented the British premiere of La vida breve, and a rare operatic role in Scotland for Victoria de los Angeles. The Three-Cornered Hat was given in a new version, choreographed by and starring the famous Antonio, who toured the world for many years with his dance company. While there is a dance element in the opera as well, it seems that in this instance it sometimes overwhelmed an operatic drama that needs all the help it can get.

Eduardo Toldrà was an important figure in Spanish musical life. Bernabé Martí (who was billed here under the soon-abandoned Spanish form Martinez) had a promising career, but it undoubtedly took second place to that of his wife, the great soprano Montserrat Caballé. There seems to have been a unanimous reaction to a superbly touching performance of Salud by Victoria de los Angeles - a very special festival event.

Cast details from our copy of the Festival programme book..