Opera Scotland

Lohengrin 1911Carl Rosa Opera Company

Read more about the opera Lohengrin

The second most popular Wagner work after Tannhäuser continues to appear with great regularity, though the actual number of performances on the tour seems somewhat reduced.

The cast for the single performance on Monday, 13 March, is given in the review in the following morning's Scotsman.

 

An Edinburgh Opinion

Scotsman:  Tuesday, 14 March 1911  (p10)

Lohengrin at the King's Theatre

'Entering upon the second week of their present visit at the King's Theatre,  the Carl Rosa Opera Company last night found no abatement in the interest and appreciation of the public.  The opera for the evening was Lohengrin, and its performance was in every way satisfying.  Mr E C Hedmondt appeared in the principal part.  His acting throughout was marked with emotional power, and his singing was vigorous and impassioned.

'Miss Ina Hill submitted an accomplished and thoroughly pleasing study of Elsa.  Her singing displayed a soprano voice of sweet and flexible quality, while her acting was restrained and effective.  The softer passages of her solo numbers especially were marked by smoothness and evenness of tone, and a facility of emotional expression.

'Mr Arthur Winckworth, in his old part of the King,  sang with a full, resonant voice, and also sustained the impersonation with impressive dignity.  Mr Dudley Marcus gave a vigorous rendering of the part of Telramund, singing and acting with spirit.  Mr Frederick Clendon gave an appropriate rendering to his declamatory numbers as the Herald.  The part of Ortrud was submitted by Miss Phyllis Archibald, who sang the contralto solo numbers with cultured voice, while her acting was at all points convincing.  The long duet with Miss Hill in the second act was a specially suuccessful item, in which both of the lady principals appeared to advantage.

'One of the outstanding features of merit in the performance last night was its cohesion and impressive force and interest.  Chorus, principals, and orchestra - by whom the instrumental music was played with carefulness and admirable balance under Mr Eugene Goossens - combined to furnish a highly impressive rendering of Wagner's great opera.  The majestic qualities of music and spectacle in the first act were realised in a satisfactory manner, while the dramatic episodes were effectively emphasised.  The prelude to the third act and the familiar bridal music, admirably rendered by orchestra and chorus, were specially appreciated.  The principals were loudly applauded by the large audience at the close of each act.

'To-night the opera of Mignon will be staged.'

 

The Carl Rosa Scottish Tour - 1911

The tour consisted of five weeks at three locations, two at Edinburgh (King's), two Glasgow (Grand), and one Greenock (King's).

The thirteen operas in the repertoire were: Mozart (Marriage of Figaro);  Benedict (Lily of Killarney);  Balfe (Bohemian Girl);  Thomas (Mignon);  Wallace (Maritana);  Wagner (Tannhäuser,  Lohengrin);  Verdi (Trovatore);  Gounod (Faust);  Goldmark (Queen of Sheba);  Bizet (Carmen);  Leoncavallo (Pagliacci);  Mascagni (Cavalleria Rusticana).

The schedule was:

Edinburgh, w/c 6 March:  Mon 6 Tannhäuser;  Tue 7  Carmen;  Wed 8  Lily of Killarney;  Thu 9 Marriage of Figaro;  Fri 10  Queen of Sheba;  Sat 11 m Cav & Pag;  Sat 11 e Trovatore.

Edinburgh, w/c 13 March:  Mon 13 Lohengrin;  Tue 14 Mignon;  Wed 15 Bohemian Girl;  Thu 16 Queen of Sheba;  Fri 17 Faust;  Sat 18 m Mignon; Sat 18 e Lily of Killarney.

Glasgow, w/c 20 March:  Mon 20 Mignon;  Tue 21 Faust;  Wed 22 Lily of Killarney;  Thu 23 Queen of Sheba;  Fri 24 Trovatore;  Sat 25 m Mignon; Sat 25 e Bohemian Girl.

Glasgow, w/c 27 March:  Mon 27 Carmen;  Tue 28 Cav & Pag;  Wed 29 Queen of Sheba;  Thu 30 Mignon;  Fri 31 Tannhäuser;  Sat 1 Apr m Queen of Sheba;  Sat 1 Apr e Lly of Killarney.

Greenock, w/c 3 April:  Mon 3 Carmen;  Tue 4 Faust;  Wed 5 Maritana:  Thu 6 Queen of Sheba;  Fri 7 Tannhäuser;  Sat 8 m Mignon;  Sat 8 e Bohemian Girl.