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

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)

| 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 ||||
| 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 ||||
| 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)

| 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 ||||
| 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 ||||
| 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)

| 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 ||||
| 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 ||||
| 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)

| 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 ||||
| 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 ||||
| 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)

| 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 ||||
| 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 ||||
| 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)

| 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 ||||
| 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 ||||
| 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 ||||
| 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 ||||
| 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 ||||
| 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 ||||
| 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)

| 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 ||||
| 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 ||||
| 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 ||||
| 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)

| 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 ||||
| 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 ||||
| 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 ||||
| 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)

| 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 ||||
| 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 ||||
| 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 ||||
| 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)

| 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 ||||
| 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 ||||
| 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 ||||
| 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 ||||
| 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 |