Carl Rosa Opera returned to Scotland after a break of four years.
The Scotsman (17 April) stated ''The personnel has been almost entirely changed. The only principal who was on stage last night, and who was here four years ago, was the well-known Edinburgh singer, Miss Helen Ogilvie. Radically transformed in its membership as it is, however, the company retains the characteristics which have distinguished it from the outset of the present directorship, (H.B. Phillips) fresh young voices of good quality, the enthusiasma which goes with youth, excellent teamwork, both on the stage and in the orchestra, and highly artistic mounting and production.
'''Last night it was played with just the requisite light touch. As the wife, Miss Helen Ogilvie sang charmingly, and displayed an excellent comic sense in her acting. The 'Blue Danube' ballet in the second act was beautifully done, and the staging was always artistic. There is a good orchestra of over thirty players, and last night, under a clever young conductor, Mr Eric Warr, the opera was carried through in a spirit of exhileration whoch earned for it applause of unusual heartiness, the curtain having to be raised repeatedly at the conclusion of each act".
The Carl Rosa's Scottish tour in the spring of 1934 began with two weeks at the Glasgow Theatre Royal, followed by one each at His Majesty's, Aberdeen and the King's, Edinburgh.
The performance schedule was as follows:
First week (Glasgow), commencing 26 March: Mon Fledermaus; Tue Barber of Seville; Wed Cav & Pag; Thu Carmen; Fri Fledermaus; Sat mat Butterfly, Sat eve Faust.
Second week, commencing 2 April: Mon Barber; Tue Trovatore; Wed Carmen; Thu Don Giovanni; Fri Madam Butterfly; Sat mat Fledermaus; Sat eve Maritana.
Third week (Aberdeen), commencing 9 April: Mon Fledermaus; Tue Cav & Pag; Wed Carmen; Thu Faust; Fri Barber; Sat mat Fledermaus; Sat eve Maritana.
Fourth week (Edinburgh), commencing 16 April: Mon Fledermaus; Tue Carmen; Wed Don Giovanni; Thu Fledermaus; Fri Barber; Sat mat Faust; Sat eve Maritana.
Cast details for the opening performance, Monday 26 March, are taken from a programme in the Gardiner Collection (Mitchell Library) which also includes the following evening's Barber. Identical Aberdeen casts are confirmed from a programme in Aberdeen City Library.
By this time ballet was becoming established as a popular form of entertainment, thanks to the efforts of Diaghilev, Anna Pavlova and others. The Carl Rosa company therefore included dance in a more serious form than previously, especially in works like Carmen, Aida and Faust. For Fledermaus, Orlofsky's party in Act II was augmented by the addition of a ballet set to the Blue Danube Waltz.
There were two performances of that venerable double boll, Cav and Pag. Eight other operas were presented during the tour.
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