BY SAMANTHA CALDERONE, STAFF WRITER
Oct. 9, 1961:
Goldovsky Grand Opera Theater group began its cross-country tour at Marywood College, where it presented Boris Goldovsky’s adaptation of Rossini’s “Barber of Seville” for the first time in front of a local audience at Marywood Theater.
“Barber of Seville” is a three-act comic opera about Count Almaviva, who is in love with Rosina, a young woman in the care of Dr. Bartolo. While trying to make Rosina fall in love with him, the Count finds out that Bartolo has plans to marry Rosina for her inheritance. The play follows the Count, Rosina and Bartolo in their journey to the altar.
Rosina was portrayed by Edith Gordon, the Count by James Wainner and Dr. Bartolo by Eugene Greene.
James Wainner performs in the new, all-English Boris Goldovsky production of Rossini’s “Barber of Seville” at Marywood Theater on Oct. 9, 1961. Submitted Photo
“The artists revealed a fine sense of humor in reflecting the complex love affair, sang and acted in a manner that captured the spirit,” The Scranton Times reported.
Boris Goldovsky, producer and conductor, wrote the contemporary English version of the play with Sarah Caldwell.
“The English translation was singable and enabled the audience to follow the characters through their hilarious intrigues in a clearly designed performance,” the newspaper wrote.
After the launch of “Barber of Seville” in Scranton, the Goldovsky group performed in major cities across the country. The company of 50 had a full orchestra and chorus, which also were under the direction of Goldovsky.
Boris Goldovsky
Marywood College, now university, was placed on the select tour list after Goldovsky’s group performed Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” at the college the year before. Goldovsky and his company were “so impressed” with the enthusiastic audience and professional equipment that they “urged the college authorities to allow them to open their current tour and conduct final rehearsals (at Marywood),” according to the newspaper report.
Brian Fulton has been the librarian at The Times-Tribune for the past 15 years. On his blog, Historically Hip, he writes about the great concerts, plays/musicals and celebrity happenings that have taken place throughout NEPA. He is also the co-host of the local history podcast, Historically Hip. He competed and was crowned grand champion on an episode of NPR quiz show “Ask Me Another.” Contact: bfulton@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9140; or @TTPagesPast
