Opera Scotland

Tales of Hoffmann 1952Carl Rosa Opera Company

Read more about the opera Tales of Hoffmann

Cast details are from the Glasgow Herald of 30 April. 

The reviewer commented  'Dialogue in place of much of the customary recitative speeded up the action and gave more lucidity to the story.  George Chitty carried through the part of Hoffman with marked success, the passion, tenderness and frustration of the poet finding full expression in the singer's voice and acting. Mona Ross, as Nicklausse, the constant companion of Hoffman did well in what always seems to be an ungrateful role. 

'In the evil characters of Coppelius, Doctor Miracle, and Captain Dapertutto, Arthur Wallington showed the appropriate malignity, without sacrificing musical tone.  Among the many smaller parts, Liddell Peddieson extracted much fun from the roles of Cochenille and Franzl the servants.

Miss Jean Carrol, a young singer from Hamilton, played Antonia, and showed what a splendid voice, powerful but well controlled, she possesses. She also acted with ability.  Emerentia Scheepers, a newcomer from South Africa, was hardly seductive enough in the part of Giulietta, but sang with clear and steady tone. The chorus and orchestra played their parts well.   Arthur Hammond conducted.

The full Scottish schedule was as follows:

Aberdeen (His Majesty's) - Week commencing 31 March: Mon Carmen, Tue Rigoletto, Wed Traviata, Thu Faust, Fri Barber of Seville, Sat mat Bohème, Sat eve Trovatore.

Edinburgh (King's) - Week commencing 7 April: Mon Flying Dutchman, Tue Bohème, Wed Barber of Seville, Thu Rigoletto, Fri John Socman, Sat mat Butterfly, Sar eve Faust.

Week commencing Monday 14 April: Mon Cav & Pag, Tue Traviata, Wed Trovatore, Thu Butterfly, Fri Tosca, Sat mat Bohème, Sat eve Carmen.

Glasgow (Theatre Royal) - Week commencing Monday 21 April: Mon Traviata, Tue Bohème, Wed Barber, Thu Dutchman, Fri Rigoletto, Sat mat Butterfly, Sat eve Faust.

W/c Monday 28 April: Mon Barber, Tue Hoffmann, Wed Butterfly, Thu Cav & Pag, Fri Carmen, Sat mat Bohème, Sat eve Trovatore.

Wk/c Monday 5 May: Mon Carmen, Tue Dutchman, Wed Rigoletto, Thu Faust, Fri John Socman, Sat mat Carmen, Sat eve Bohème.

Week commencing Monday 12 May: Mon Butterfly, Tue Tosca, Wed Hoffmann, Thu Trovatore, Fri Traviata, Sat mat Barber, Sat eve Cav & Pag.

Performance Cast

Antonia Crespel's daughter

Jean Carrol

Cochenille Spalanzani's servant

Liddell Peddieson

Giulietta a courtesan

Emerentia Scheepers

Franz Crespel's servant

Liddell Peddieson

Dapertutto a sorcerer

Arthur Wallington

Dr Miracle a doctor

Arthur Wallington

Coppélius a scientist, Spalanzani's rival

Arthur Wallington

Nicklausse Hoffmann's friend

Mona Ross

Hoffmann a poet

George Chitty

Production Cast

Conductor

Arthur Hammond

Performance DatesTales of Hoffmann 1952

Map List

Theatre Royal, Glasgow | Glasgow

29 Apr, 19.15 14 May, 19.15

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