“Favourite Works To Be Performed – The Cork Grand Opera Group will present its third season to Cork’s opera-loving people at the Opera House commencing on Monday night next. The Group’s second season in February last, when “Rieoletto” and “La Traviato” were presented in an outstanding manner, will be long remembered for the pleasure it gave.
VERDI OPERA.
On this occasion, the Group has firstly chosen another Verdi opera “I1 Trovatore” which has always been a favourite in Cork. A cast of outstanding guest singers has been engaged. Bruce Dargavel, bass-baritone, who is so popular with Cork audiences on his too rare visits, plays the Count di Luna. For the part of Manrico, Paul Asciak comes to Ireland for the first time. He is a young tenor from Malta, who is already established in Covent Garden as a leading singer. Azceuna is played by Jean Watson, contralto, a singer of outstanding quality, who is at present with the Teatre de la Monnaie in Brussels. June Grant, a promient young soprano from Canada, plays Leonora. Ferrando is played by Tadgh O’Laoghaire, who made his debut in opera with the Group during their first season. It is a fitting tribute to his outstanding qualities as an operatic singer that he has been consistently chosen by the Group for important parts in each production. Maura Hayes. another local artiste, sings the part of Inez; Jack Curtis, tenor, formerly a prominent member of the Cork Leeside Choir. makes his first appearance with the Group, and has been cast for parts in both operas. David Mclnerney, bass, also appears in this season’s production.
FAMOUS WORK
For the second opera, th e Group has chosen Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor,” the most famous of this composer’s operas. It is a “singers’ opera,” written primarily as a vehicle for vocal emotion. In the old days it was a very popular opera in Cork. It is interesting to note that, according to the well-kept records of the Opera House Stage Manager, “Lucia” was last produced in that theatre on February 8th, 1917, by the O’Mara Company. Contemporary Press reports stated that it was better liked than any other opera during that visit, with the exception of “Faust.”
The Group has left nothing undone to present a memorable production of “Lucia di Lammermoor;” on this occasion The cast includes Marion Studholme. William Dickie and Kenneth MacDonald, about whom little need be written as they were enthusiastically acclaimed for their work in “Rigoletto.” Richard Mason, well known in Cork and Dublin musical circles, is also in the cast_, and another guest singer is John Hickey of Waterford, who is a leading figure in Waterford operatic circles. Betty McCarthy, a Cork mezzosoprano, is also in the cast.
The Group Chorus has been carefully coached by the Chorus Master, Mr L C Townsend, who formerly resided in Tralee, where he had many musical successes to his credit. His dominant love of music and reputation for patient attention to details such as clarity of diction should be reflected in next week’s productions. For the important matter of production and stage direction, the Group engaged Mr. Patrick MacClellan, who has considerable experience of opera production. He, too, has a reputation for attention to detail, and he has for some weeks worked hard and intensively to ensure that the productions are of the highest standard. Special scenery has been painted by Frank Sanquest. Mr. Wyn Morris has been engaged as guest conductor for “II Trovatore,” and Comdt. J. P. Brennock will conduct “Lucia di Lammermoor.” (Irish Examiner, Thursday, November 11, 1954; Page: 9)
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