Opera Scotland

Lustigen Weiber von Windsor 1910Carl Rosa Opera Company

Read more about the opera Merry Wives of Windsor

Cast details are taken from the Scotsman of 7 March and the Falkirk Herald of 9 March.

The Denhof Ring Cycle was running at the King's on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday an

The Falkirk reviewer commented that at the Kings Theatre, Edinburgh, only sixty minutes intervened between the performances of Twilight of the Gods and Merry Wives of Windsor.   The Denhof Wagner was essentially staged as a matinee (kick-off at 13.30), to finish in time for the Carl Rosa performance of the Nicolai as a normal evening perfomance starting at 19.30.  Two different orchestras, and only the men of the Carl Rosa chorus doubling as Hagen's vassals and citizens of Windsor.

 

The Denhof Ring Cycle was running at the King's on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (matinee).  This meant that the Carl Rosa could mount more popular works on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (evening).  On Ring nights they were able to give performances outside Edinburgh.  So on 28 February and 1 March they mounted Carmen and Faust in Falkirk.

 

An Edinburgh Review

Scotsman:  Monday, 7 March 1910  (p6)

The Merry Wives of Windsor at the King's Theatre

Notwithstanding the strain of a musical week of exceptional interest at the King's Theatre, an audience displaying undiminished zest, if not so numerous as might have been desired, assembled on Saturday night for the Carl Rosa Company's performance of Nicolai's Merry Wives of Windsor.  The performance was thoroughly worthy of the enthusiasm it evoked.  The opera embodies to a highly successful degree the spirit which animates Shakespeare's play;  and in its rendering the company displayed a more than ordinary aptitude.

'Vocally, and in person and make-up, Mr Arthur Winckworth presents an admirable Falstaff.  His full bass voice, his ponderous gesture, and gargantuan style combine to form a thoroughly satisfying realisation of Shakespeare's immortal knight.  Miss Beatrice Miranda as Mrs Ford, whom she impersonated with individuality and vivacity; and her solo soprano numbers were rendered in a pleasing, flexible voice, and in a facile and agreeable style.

'Miss Ina Hill sang the contralto numbers attractively.  There duet in the opening scene was given with spirit and piquancy.  Miss Doris Wodall was popular as Mrs Page, singing her numbers in a voice of fine quality, and giving a spirited rendering of the part..  In addition to Mr Winckworth, the cast was strong in its male voices.  Mr Charles Victor gave a robust account of the oart of Ford, displaying a rich baritone voice, and acting with dramatic effect.  Mr Frederic Clendon sang and acted well in the part of Page.  His opening duet with Mr Edward Davies, who sang the tenor solos with great verve,  was an oustanding number.

'The large orchestra played smoothly and with well-defined expression, under Mr Walter Van Noorden.'