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Opera at the Edinburgh International Festival: history and repertoire, 1947–1956

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Opera was an important feature of the Edinburgh International Festival from its inception.

All the early productions were at the King's Theatre, a variety touring house with a capacity of 1,350 seats, which had hosted the Carl Rosa Opera and the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. Edinburgh did not have an opera house, and only limited creative resources to originate productions, in a way that was possible at festivals such as Salzburg from the 1960s onwards.

The Glyndebourne Festival Opera was an key partner who brought two productions to the festival each year from 1947 to 1951. In 1952, their place was taken by the Hamburg State Opera who brought six productions that year. However, in 1953, 1954 and 1955 Glyndebourne returned each time with three productions. Hamburg State Opera made their second visit in 1956, this time with five productions.

1947 (two productions)

[edit]
Orchestra, Choir, Conductor Director, Set Designer Female singer Male singer
Glyndebourne Opera production of Macbeth by Giuseppe Verdi, August 25, 27, 29, and September 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 1947 (nine performances) at the Kings Theatre[1]
The Scottish Orchestra
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
Georg Szell
Carl Ebert
Caspar Neher settings
Margherita Grandi Lady Macbeth Francesco Valentino Macbeth
Italo Tajo Banquo
Owen Brannigan Banquo
Walter Midgley Macduff
Andrew McKinley Malcolm
Glyndebourne Opera production of Le nozze di Figaro by Lorenzo Da Ponte and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, August 26, 28, 30, September 1, 3, 5, 9, 11, 13 1947 (nine performances) at the Kings Theatre[1]
The Scottish Orchestra
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
Georg Szell
Carl Ebert
Hamish Wilson and Ann Litherland settings
Eleanor Steber Countess Almaviva
Virginia MacWatters Susanne
Catherine Lawson Marcellina
Jarmila Novotna Cherubino
John Brownlee Count Almaviva
Italo Tajo Figaro
Bruce Flegg Basilio
Owen Brannigan Bartolo

1948 (two productions)

[edit]
Orchestra, Choir, Conductor Director, Set Designer Female singer Male singer
Glyndebourne Opera production of Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, August 23, 25, 27, 31, and September 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 1948 (nine performances) at the Kings Theatre[2][3]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
Rafael Kubelik
Carl Ebert
Hamish Wilson design
Hein Heckroth costumes
Ljuba Welitsch Donna Anna
Christina Carroll Donna Elvira
Ann Ayars Zerlina
Vito de Taranto Leporello
Paolo Silveri Don Giovanni
David Franklin Commendatore
Richard Lewis Don Ottavio
Ian Wallace Masetto
Glyndebourne Opera production of Così fan tutte by Lorenzo Da Ponte and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, August 24, 26, 28, 30, and September 1, 3, 7, 9, 11 1948 (nine performances) at the Kings Theatre[4][3]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
Vittorio Gui
Carl Ebert
Rolf Gérard settings
Suzanne Danco Fiordiligi
Eugenia Zareska Dorabella
Hilde Güden Despina
Petre Munteanu Ferrando
Erich Kunz Guglielmo
Mariano Stabile Don Alfonso

1949 (two productions)

[edit]
Orchestra, Choir, Conductor Director, Set Designer Female singer Male singer
Glyndebourne Opera production of Un ballo in maschera by Giuseppe Verdi, August 22, 24, 26, 29, 31 and September 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10 1949 (11 performances) at the Kings Theatre[5]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
Vittorio Gui
Carl Ebert
Caspar Neher settings
Ljuba Welitsch Amelia
Margherita Grandi Amelia
Alda Noni Oscar
Jean Watson Ulrica
Mirto Picchi Riccardo
William Horne Riccardo
Paolo Silveri Renato
Ian Wallace Samuelo
Hervey Allan Tommaso
Francis Loring Silvano
George Israel Judge
Glyndebourne Opera production of Così fan tutte by Lorenzo Da Ponte and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, August 23, 25, 27, 30, and September 2, 7, 9 1949 (seven performances) at the Kings Theatre[5]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
Vittorio Gui
Carl Ebert
Rolf Gérard settings
Suzanne Danco Fiordiligi
Sena Jurinac Dorabella
Irene Eisinger Despina
Petre Munteanu Ferrando
Marko Rothmuller Guglielmo
John Brownlee Don Alfonso

1950 (two productions)

[edit]
Orchestra, Choir, Conductor Director, Set Designer Female singer Male singer
Glyndebourne Opera production of Ariadne auf Naxos by Richard Strauss, preceded by a shortened version of Molière's Le Bourgeois gentilhomme, August 21, 23, 25, 29, 31 and September 2, 4, 6, 8 1950 (nine performances) at the Kings Theatre[6]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
Sir Thomas Beecham
Carl Ebert
Oliver Messel settings
Hilde Zadek Ariadne
Ilse Hollweg Zerbinetta
Dorothy Bond Najade
Marjorie Thomas Dryade
April Cantelo Echo
Peter Anders Bacchus
Douglas Craig Harlekin
Murray Dickie Brighella
Alexander Young Scaramuccio
Bruce Dargavel Truffaldin
Glyndebourne Opera production of Le nozze di Figaro by Lorenzo Da Ponte and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, August 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 September 1, 5, 7, 9 1950 (nine performances) at the Kings Theatre[6]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
Ferenc Fricsay
Carl Ebert
Rolf Gérard settings
Clara Ebers Countess Almaviva
Elfride Troetschel Susanne
Jean Watson Marcellina
Sena Jurinac Cherubino
April Cantelo Barbarina
Marko Rothmüller Count Almaviva
George London Figaro
Murray Dickie Basilio
Ian Wallace Bartolo

1951 (two productions)

[edit]
Orchestra, Choir, Conductor Director, Set Designer Female singer Male singer
Glyndebourne Opera production of La forza del destino by Giuseppe Verdi, August 20, 22, 24, 28, 30 and September 1, 3, 5, 7 1951 (nine performances) at the Kings Theatre[7]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
Fritz Busch
Carl Ebert
Leslie Hurry settings
Walburga Wegner Leonora
Mildred Miller Preziosilla
Alda Noni Oscar
Jean Watson Ulrica
David Poleri Don Alvaro
Marko Rothmüller Don Carlo
Bruce Dargavel Padre Guardiano
Owen Brannigan Fra Melitone
Glyndebourne Opera production of Don Giovanni by Lorenzo Da Ponte and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, August 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 and September 4, 6, 8 1951 (nine performances) at the Kings Theatre[8]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
Fritz Busch / John Pritchard
Carl Ebert
John Piper settings
Hilde Zadek Donna Anna
Dorothy MacNeil Donna Elvira
Suzanne Danco Donna Elvira
Genevieve Warner Zerlina
Pierrette Alarie Zerlina
Roxane Houston Zerlina
Mario Petri Don Giovanni
Alois Pernerstorfer / Owen Brannigan Leporello
Léopold Simoneau Don Ottavio
Geraint Evans Masetto

1952 (six productions)

[edit]
Orchestra, Choir, Conductor Director, Set Designer Female singer Male singer
Hamburg State Opera production of Fidelio by Ludwig van Beethoven, August 18, 20 and September 1, 4 1952 (four performances) at the Kings Theatre[9]
Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra
Hamburg State Opera Chorus
Leopold Ludwig
Günther Rennert
Alfred Siercke settings
Inge Borkh Leonore
Martha Mödl Leonore
Lisa della Casa Marzelline
Caspar Bröcheler Don Fernando
Josef Metternich Don Pizarro
Peter Anders Florestan
Theo Herrmann Rocco
Kurt Marschner Jacquino
Hamburg State Opera production of Der Freischütz by Carl Maria von Weber, August 22, 25, 27 1952 (three performances) at the Kings Theatre[9]
Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra
Hamburg State Opera Chorus
Josef Keilberth
Günther Rennert
Caspar Neher settings
Elisabeth Grümmer Agathe
Clara Ebers Agathe
Anneliese Rothenberger Annchen
Georg Mund Ottakar
Toni Blankenheim Kuno
Gottlob Frick Kaspar / Eremit
Caspar Bröcheler Kaspar
Peter Anders Max
Kurt Marschner Kilian
Theo Herrmann Eremit
Wolfgang Rottsieper Samiel
Hamburg State Opera production of Die Zauberflöte by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, August 19, 21, 23, 26 1952 (four performances) at the Kings Theatre[9]
Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra
Hamburg State Opera Chorus
Georg Solti
Günther Rennert
Alfred Siercke settings
Valerie Bak Queen of the Night
Elisabeth Grümmer Pamina
Lisa della Casa Pamina
Anneliese Rothenberger Papagena
Lisa Jungkind First lady
Ilse Koegel Second lady
Maria von Ilosvay Third lady
Gottlob Frick Sarastro
Rudolf Schock Tamino
Josef Metternich Sprecher
Horst Günther Papageno
Kurt Marschner Monostatos
Helmuth Melchert First armed man
Jean Wilhelm Pfendt Second armed man
Hamburg State Opera production of Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss, August 28, 30 and September 5, 1952 (three performances) at the Kings Theatre[9]
Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra
Hamburg State Opera Chorus
Joseph Keilberth / Leopold Ludwig
Günther Rennert
Alfred Siercke settings
Clara Ebers Marschallin
Martha Mödl Octavian
Lisa della Casa Sophie
Hedy Gura Annina
Theo Herrmann Ochs
Caspar Bröcheler Faninal
Fritz Göllnitz Valzacchi
Rudolf Schock Singer
Fritz Lehnert Singer
Hamburg State Opera production of Mathis der Maler by Paul Hindemith, August 29 and September 2, 1952 (two performances) at the Kings Theatre[9]
Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra
Hamburg State Opera Chorus
Leopold Ludwig
Günther Rennert
Helmuth Jürgens, Alfred Siercke settings
Elfriede Wasserthal Ursula
Anneliese Rothenberger Regina
Lisa Jungkind Gräfin Helfenstein
Helmuth Melchert Albrecht
Mathieu Ahlersmeyer Mathis
Toni Blankenheim Lorenz
Fritz Lehnert Wolgang Capito
Theo Herrmann Riedinger
Heinrich Bensing Hans Schwalb
Jean Wilhelm Pfendt Truchsess von Waldburg
Kurt Marschner Sylvester
Hamburg State Opera production of Die Meistersinger by Richard Wagner, September 3, 6 1952 (two performances) at the Kings Theatre[9]
Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra
Hamburg State Opera Chorus
Leopold Ludwig
Günther Rennert
Helmuth Jürgens, Rosemarie Jakameit settings
Elisabeth Grümmer Eva
Gisela Litz Magdalena
Otto Edelmann Hans Sachs
Gottlob Frick Pogner
Fritz Lehnert Vogelsang
Martin Schramm Nachtigall
Toni Blankenheim Beckmesser
Caspar Bröcheler Kothner
Erich Zimmermann Zorn
Peter Konig Eisslinger
Robert Bodewig Moser
Karl Otto Ortel
Jean Wilhelm Pfendt Schwarz
Joseph Vetter Foltz
Peter Anders Walther
Kurt Marschner David
Horst Wegner Nightwatchman

1953 (three productions)

[edit]
Orchestra, Choir, Conductor Director, Set Designer Female singer Male singer
Glyndebourne Opera production of La Cenerentola by Gioachino Rossini, August 24, 26, 28, 31 and September 8, 10, 12 1953 (seven performances) at the Kings Theatre[10]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
Vittorio Gui, John Pritchard
Carl Ebert
Oliver Messel settings
Alda Noni Clorinda
Fernanda Cadoni Tisbe
Marina de Gabarain Angelina
Hervey Allan Alidoro
Ian Wallace Don Magnifico
Juan Onchina Don Ramiro
Sesto Bruscantini Dandini
Glyndebourne Opera production of The Rake's Progress by Igor Stravinsky, August 25, 27, 29, September 2, 4 1953 (five performances) at the Kings Theatre[10]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
Alfred Wallenstein
Carl Ebert
Osbert Lancaster settings
Elsie Morison Ann
Mary Jarred Mother Goose
Nan Merriman Baba the Turk
David Lloyd Tom Rakewell
Hervey Allan Truelove
Jerome Hines Nick Shadow
Murray Dickie Sellem
Dennis Wicks Keeper of the madhouse
Glyndebourne Opera production of Idomeneo by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, September 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 1953 (six performances) at the Kings Theatre[10]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
John Pritchard
Carl Ebert
Rolf Gérard settings
Sena Jurinac Ilia
Jennifer Vyvyan Electra
Helmut Krebs Idamante
John Cameron Arbace
Richard Lewis Idomeneo
John Carolan High Priest
Hervey Allan Voice of Neptune

1954 (three productions)

[edit]
Orchestra, Choir, Conductor Director, Set Designer Female singer Male singer
Glyndebourne Opera production of Le Comte Ory by Gioachino Rossini, August 23, 25, 27, 30 and September 1, 4, 7 1954 (seven performances) at the Kings Theatre[11]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
Vittorio Gui
Carl Ebert
Oliver Messel settings
Halina de Tarczynska Alice
Monica Sinclair Ragonde
Fernanda Cadoni Isolier
Sári Barabás Countess Adèle
Sesto Bruscantini Raimbaud
Juan Oncina Count Ory
Ian Wallace Tutor
Dermot Troy Cavalier
Glyndebourne Opera production of Ariadne auf Naxos by Richard Strauss, August 24, 26, 28, September 3, 8, 10 1954 (seven performances) at the Kings Theatre[11]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
John Pritchard
Carl Ebert
Oliver Messel settings
Sena Jurinac Composer
Mattiwilda Dobbs Zerbinetta
Lucine Amara Ariadne
Maureen Springer Naiade
Noreen Berry Dryade
Elaine Malbin Echo
David Franklin Major Domo
Geraint Evans Music master
Richard Lewis Bacchus
John Carolan Officer
Murray Dickie Dancing master, Brighella
Gwyn Griffiths Wig-maker
James Atkins Lackey
Kurt Gester Harlekin
Juan Oncina Scaramucchio
Fritz Ollendorff Truffaldin
Glyndebourne Opera production of Cosi fan tutte by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, August 31, September 2, 6, 9, 11 1954 (five performances) at the Kings Theatre[11]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
Vittorio Gui, John Pritchard
Carl Ebert
Rolf Gérard, Rosemary Vercoe settings
Sena Jurinac Fiordiligi
Magda Laszlo Dorabella
Alda Noni Despina
Richard Lewis Ferrando
Juan Oncina Ferrando
Geraint Evans Guglielmo
Sesto Bruscantini Don Alfonso

1955 (three productions)

[edit]
Orchestra, Choir, Conductor Director, Set Designer Female singer Male singer
Glyndebourne Opera production of Il barbiere di Siviglia by Gioachino Rossini, August 22, 24, 26, 31 and September 6, 9 1955 (six performances) at the Kings Theatre[12]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
Alberto Erede
Carl Ebert
Oliver Messel settings
Gianna D'Angelo Rosina
Monica Sinclair Berta
Gwyn Griffiths Fiorello
Juan Oncina Conte
Sesto Bruscantini Figaro
Ian Wallace Bartolo
Harold Williams Ambrogio
Cristiano Dalamangas Basilio
David Kelly Officer
Daniel McCoshan Notary
Glyndebourne Opera production of Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi, August 23, 25, 27, 29, September 2, 7 1955 (six performances) at the Kings Theatre[12]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
Carlo Maria Giulini
Carl Ebert
Osbert Lancaster settings
Fernanda Cadoni Mistress Page
Anna Maria Rovere Mistress Ford
Oralia Domínguez Mistress Quickly
Eugenia Ratti Nanetta
Fernando Corena Falstaff
Dermot Troy Caius
Daniel McCoshan Bardolph
Marco Stefanoni Pistol
Juan Oncina Fenton
Geraint Evans Ford
Glyndebourne Opera production of La forza del destino by Giuseppe Verdi, August 30, September 1, 3, 5, 8, 10 1955 (six performances) at the Kings Theatre[12]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus
John Pritchard
Peter Ebert
Leslie Hurry settings
Sena Jurinac Donna Leonora
Marina de Gabarain Preziosilla
Monica Sinclair Curra
David Kelly Calatrava
Marko Rothmüller Don Carlo
David Poleri Don Alvaro
Hervey Allan Padre Guardiano
Ian Wallace Fra Melitone

1956 (four productions)

[edit]
Orchestra, Choir, Conductor Director, Set Designer Female singer Male singer
Hamburg State Opera production of Die Zauberflöte by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, August 20, 22, 24, 29, 31 and September 3, 1956 (six performances) at the Kings Theatre[13]
Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra
Hamburg State Opera Chorus
Rudolf Kempe, Leopold Ludwig
Günther Rennert
Ita Maximovna settings
Colette Lorand Queen of the Night
Anny Schlemm Pamina
Elisabeth Grümmer Pamina
Anneliese Rothenberger Papagena
Erna Maria Duske Papagena
Rudolf Schock Tamino
Heinz HoppeTamino
Horst Günther Papageno
Kurt Marschner Monostatos
James Pease Speaker
Arnold van Mill Sarastro
Peter Markwort First Priest
Hamburg State Opera production of Oedipus Rex and Mavra by Igor Stravinsky, August 21, 28 and September 5, 1956 (three performances) at the Kings Theatre[14][15]
Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra
Hamburg State Opera Chorus
Leopold Ludwig
Günther Rennert
Teo Otto settings
Maria von Ilosvay Jocasta

Melitta Muszely Parasha
Gisela Litz Mother
Margarete Ast Neighbour
Helmut Melchert Oedipus
James Pease Creon
Arnold van Mill Tiresias
Fritz Lehnert Shepherd
Caspar Bröcheler Messenger

Jürgen Förster Hussar
Hamburg State Opera production of Der Barbier von Bagdad by Peter Cornelius, August 23, 25 and September 7, 1956 (three performances) at the Kings Theatre[16]
Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra
Hamburg State Opera Chorus
Albert Bittner
Günther Rennert
Alfred Siercke settings
Melitta Muszely Margiana
Gisela Litz Bostana
Georg Mund Caliph
Kurt Marschner Baba Mustapha
Sándor Kónya Nureddin
Heinz Hoppe Nureddin
Arnold van Mill Abdul Hassan
Jürgen Förster Slave
Hamburg State Opera production of Salome by Richard Strauss, August 30 and September 1, 4, 6, 8 September 1956 (five performances) at the Kings Theatre[17]
Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra
Hamburg State Opera Chorus
Leopold Ludwig
Wolf Völker
Alfred Siercke settings
Christel Goltz Salome
Helga Pilarczyk Salome
Siw Ericsdotter Herodias
Margarete Ast Page
Fritz Lehnert Narraboth
Horst Günter First Soldier
Jean Pfendt Second Soldier
Caspar Bröcheler Jokanaan
Josef Metternich Jokanaan
Georg Mund Cappadocian
Werner Hecker Slave
Helmut Melchert Herod
Peter Markwort Herod
Kurt Marschner First Jew
Jürgen Förster Second Jew
Hans Böhm Third Jew
Victor GawlitzerFourth Jew
Karl Otto Fifth Jew
Arnold van Mill First Nazarene
Erich Zimmermann Second Nazarene

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b The International Festival of Music & Drama Edinburgh 1947 Souvenir Programme. 1947.
  2. ^ "Glyndebourne Opera Archive:Don Giovanni, Edinburgh Festival 1948". 1948. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b The International Festival of Music & Drama Edinburgh 1948 Souvenir Programme. 1948.
  4. ^ "Glyndebourne Opera Archive: Cosi Fan Tutte, Edinburgh Festival 1948". 1948. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  5. ^ a b The International Festival of Music & Drama Edinburgh 1949 Programme. 1949.
  6. ^ a b The International Festival of Music & Drama Edinburgh Programme 1950. 1950.
  7. ^ "Glyndebourne Opera Archive: La forza del destino, Edinburgh Festival 1951". 1951. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Glyndebourne Opera Archive: Don Giovanni, Edinburgh Festival 1951". 1951. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  9. ^ a b c d e f International Festival of Music & Drama Edinburgh 1952 Programme. 1952.
  10. ^ a b c The International Festival of Music & Drama Edinburgh Programme 1953. 1953.
  11. ^ a b c Edinburgh International Festival 1954 Souvenir Programme. 1954.
  12. ^ a b c Edinburgh International Festival 1955 Souvenir Programme. 1955.
  13. ^ "Opera Scotland: Die Zauberflöte, Edinburgh Festival 1956". 1956. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  14. ^ "Opera Scotland: Oedipus Rex, Edinburgh Festival 1956". 1956. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  15. ^ "Opera Scotland: Mavra, Edinburgh Festival 1956". 1956. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  16. ^ "Opera Scotland: Barbier von Bagdad, Edinburgh Festival 1956". 1956. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  17. ^ "Opera Scotland: Salome, Edinburgh Festival 1956". 1956. Retrieved 27 December 2021.