D'Oyly Carte Opera Company

The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company is a professional British light opera company which, from the 1870s until 1982, staged Gilbert and Sullivan's Savoy operas nearly year-round in the UK and sometimes toured in Europe, North America and elsewhere. The company was revived for short seasons and tours from 1988 to 2003, and since 2013 it has co-produced four of the operas with Scottish Opera.

In 1875 Richard D'Oyly Carte asked the dramatist W. S. Gilbert and the composer Arthur Sullivan to collaborate on a short comic opera to round out an evening's entertainment. When that work, Trial by Jury, became a success, Carte put together a syndicate to produce a full-length Gilbert and Sullivan work, The Sorcerer (1877), followed by H.M.S. Pinafore (1878). After Pinafore became an international sensation, Carte jettisoned his difficult investors and formed a new partnership with Gilbert and Sullivan that became the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. The company produced the succeeding ten Gilbert and Sullivan operas and many other operas and companion pieces, mostly at the Savoy Theatre in London, which Carte built in 1881 for that purpose. The company also mounted tours in Britain, New York and elsewhere, usually running several companies simultaneously. Carte's able assistant, Helen Lenoir, became his wife in 1888 and, after his death in 1901, she ran the company until her own death in 1913. By this time, it had become a year-round Gilbert and Sullivan touring repertory company.

Carte's son Rupert inherited the company. Beginning in 1919, he mounted new seasons in London with new set and costume designs, while continuing the year-round tours in Britain and abroad. With the help of the director J. M. Gordon and the conductor Isidore Godfrey, Carte ran the company for 35 years. He redesigned the Savoy Theatre in 1928 and sponsored a series of recordings over the years that helped to keep the operas popular. After Rupert's death in 1948, his daughter Bridget inherited the company and hired Frederic Lloyd as general manager. The company continued to tour for 35 weeks each year, issue new recordings and play London seasons of Gilbert and Sullivan. In 1961 the last copyright on the Gilbert and Sullivan operas expired, and Bridget set up and endowed a charitable trust that presented the operas until mounting costs and a lack of public funding forced the closure of the company in 1982. It re-formed in 1988 with a legacy left by Bridget D'Oyly Carte, played short tours and London seasons, and issued some popular recordings. Denied significant funding from the English Arts Council, it suspended productions in 2003. With Scottish Opera, it co-produced The Pirates of Penzance in 2013, The Mikado in 2016 and The Gondoliers and Utopia, Limited in 2021–22.

Some of the company's performers, over the decades, became stars of their day and often moved on to careers in musical theatre or grand opera. The company licensed the operas for performance in Australasia and to numerous amateur troupes in Britain and elsewhere, providing orchestra parts and prompt books for hire. The company kept the Savoy operas in the public eye for over a century and left an enduring legacy of production styles and stage business that continue to be emulated in new productions, as well as recordings.

Birth and Death Data: Born Founded 1875

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1917 - 1930

Roles Represented in DAHR: Vocal group, Musical group

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Gramophone Cc1405 12-in. 5/31/1922 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Orchestra Vocal group, Musical group  
Gramophone Cc1406 12-in. 5/31/1922 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal soloists and vocal chorus, with orchestra Vocal group, Musical group  
Gramophone Cc1407 12-in. 5/31/1922 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal soloists and vocal chorus, with orchestra Vocal group, Musical group  
Gramophone Cc1408 12-in. 3/15/1923 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal soloists and vocal chorus, with orchestra Vocal group, Musical group  
Gramophone Cc1409 12-in. 5/31/1922 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal soloists and vocal chorus, with orchestra Vocal group, Musical group  
Gramophone Cc1416 12-in. 6/2/1922 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal soloists and vocal chorus, with orchestra Vocal group, Musical group  
Gramophone Cc1417 12-in. 6/2/1922 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal soloists and vocal chorus, with orchestra Vocal group, Musical group  
Gramophone Cc1418 12-in. 6/2/1922 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal soloists and vocal chorus, with orchestra Vocal group, Musical group  
Gramophone Cc1419 12-in. 6/2/1922 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal soloists and vocal chorus, with orchestra Vocal group, Musical group  
Gramophone Cc1601 12-in. 7/3/1922 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal soloists and vocal chorus, with orchestra Vocal group, Musical group  
Gramophone Cc1602 12-in. 7/3/1922 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal soloists and vocal chorus, with orchestra Vocal group, Musical group  
Gramophone Cc1603 12-in. 3/15/1923 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal soloists and vocal chorus, with orchestra Vocal group, Musical group  
Gramophone Cc1604 12-in. 7/3/1922 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal soloists and vocal chorus, with orchestra Vocal group, Musical group  
Gramophone Cc1745 12-in. 7/27/1922 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal soloists and vocal chorus, with orchestra Vocal group, Musical group  
Gramophone Cc1746 12-in. 7/27/1922 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal soloists and vocal chorus, with orchestra Vocal group, Musical group  
Gramophone Cc1747 12-in. 7/27/1922 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal soloists and vocal chorus, with orchestra Vocal group, Musical group  
Gramophone HO2769af 12-in. 7/30/1917 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; John Harrison ; Violet Oppenshaw ; Edna Thornton Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone HO2771af 12-in. 7/30/1917 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Violet Essex ; John Harrison ; Edna Thornton Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone HO2773af 12-in. 7/30/1917 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; John Harrison Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone HO2775af 12-in. 7/30/1917 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Violet Essex ; Violet Oppenshaw ; Edna Thornton Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone HO2777af 12-in. 7/30/1917 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Violet Oppenshaw Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone HO2779af 12-in. 8/2/1917 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; John Harrison Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone HO2781af 12-in. 7/30/1917 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Violet Essex Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone HO2782af 12-in. 7/30/1917 The Mikado George Baker ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Edna Thornton Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone HO2790af 12-in. 8/2/1917 The Mikado George Baker ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone HO2792af 12-in. 8/2/1917 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone HO2798af 12-in. 8/2/1917 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone HO2800af 12-in. 8/2/1917 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Robert Radford Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone HO2802af 12-in. 8/2/1917 The Mikado George Baker ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Robert Radford ; Edna Thornton Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone HO2803af 12-in. 8/2/1917 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone HO2806af 12-in. 8/2/1917 The Mikado George Baker ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Edna Thornton Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone HO2807af 12-in. 8/2/1917 The Mikado George Baker ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Violet Essex ; John Harrison ; Robert Radford Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone HO2809af 12-in. 8/2/1917 The Mikado George Baker ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; John Harrison ; Robert Radford Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone HO2812af 12-in. 8/3/1917 The Mikado George Baker ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Robert Radford Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone HO2814af 12-in. 8/15/1917 The Mikado George Baker ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Ernest Pike ; Robert Radford Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone HO2815af 12-in. 8/3/1917 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Arthur Wood Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group, Musical group  
Gramophone HO2817af 12-in. 8/15/1917 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Arthur Wood Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group, Musical group  
Gramophone HO2915af 12-in. 10/16/1917 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Bessie Jones ; Ernest Pike ; Robert Radford ; Edna Thornton Operetta : Vocal soloist(s), and/or chorus/orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9408 12-in. 11/8/1926 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Harry Norris Orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9409 12-in. 11/8/1926 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Harry Norris Orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9410 12-in. 11/8/1926 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Harry Norris ; Derek Oldham Male vocal chorus and soloist, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9462 12-in. 11/19/1926 The Mikado George Baker ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Harry Norris Male vocal chorus and soloist, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9463 12-in. 11/19/1926 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Darrell Fancourt ; Harry Norris Male vocal chorus and soloist, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9464 12-in. 11/19/1926 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Aileen Davies ; Darrell Fancourt ; Elsie Griffin ; Bertha Lewis ; Henry A. Lytton ; Harry Norris ; Derek Oldham Mixed vocal chorus and soloists, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9465 12-in. 11/19/1926 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Bertha Lewis ; Henry A. Lytton ; Harry Norris Vocal solos, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9466 12-in. 11/19/1926 The Mikado George Baker ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Henry A. Lytton ; Harry Norris ; Leo Sheffield Male vocal trio, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9467 12-in. 11/19/1926 The Mikado George Baker ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Harry Norris ; Derek Oldham ; Leo Sheffield Male vocal trio and duet, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9468 12-in. 11/19/1926 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Aileen Davies ; Beatrice Elburn ; Elsie Griffin ; Harry Norris ; Derek Oldham ; Leo Sheffield Mixed vocal chorus and soloists, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9469 12-in. 11/19/1926 The Mikado George Baker ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Elsie Griffin ; Doris Hemingway ; Harry Norris ; Derek Oldham Mixed vocal quartet, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9470 12-in. 11/22/1926 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Elsie Griffin ; Harry Norris ; Derek Oldham Female vocal solo, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9471 12-in. 11/22/1926 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Beatrice Elburn ; Elsie Griffin ; Doris Hemingway ; Harry Norris Female vocal chorus and trio, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9472 12-in. 11/22/1926 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Beatrice Elburn ; Harry Norris Female vocal chorus and soloist, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9488 12-in. 11/26/1926 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Darrell Fancourt ; Elsie Griffin ; Bertha Lewis ; Henry A. Lytton ; Harry Norris ; Derek Oldham Mixed vocal chorus and soloists, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9489 12-in. 11/26/1926 The Mikado George Baker ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Aileen Davies ; Beatrice Elburn ; Elsie Griffin ; Henry A. Lytton ; Harry Norris ; Derek Oldham ; Leo Sheffield Mixed vocal chorus and soloists, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9490 12-in. 11/26/1926 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Aileen Davies ; Beatrice Elburn ; Bertha Lewis ; Harry Norris ; Derek Oldham Mixed vocal chorus and soloists, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9491 12-in. 11/26/1926 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Elsie Griffin ; Bertha Lewis ; Harry Norris ; Derek Oldham Mixed vocal chorus and soloists, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9492 12-in. 11/26/1926 The Mikado George Baker ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Aileen Davies ; Beatrice Elburn ; Elsie Griffin ; Bertha Lewis ; Henry A. Lytton ; Harry Norris ; Derek Oldham ; Leo Sheffield Mixed vocal chorus and soloists, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9493 12-in. 11/26/1926 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Aileen Davies ; Henry A. Lytton ; Harry Norris ; Leo Sheffield Mixed vocal chorus and soloists, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9494 12-in. 11/26/1926 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Henry A. Lytton ; Harry Norris Male vocal chorus and soloist, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc9495 12-in. 11/29/1926 The Mikado D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Harry Norris Male vocal chorus, with orchestra Musical group, Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc11602 12-in. 9/20/1927 Trial by jury D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Chorus with orchestra; baritone vocal solo with chorus and orchestra; tenor vocal solo with chorus and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc11603 12-in. 9/20/1927 Trial by jury D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Tenor vocal solo with chorus and orchestra; baritone vocal solo with chorus and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc11604 12-in. 9/20/1927 Trial by jury D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal duet (2 baritones) with male chorus and orchestra; vocal quartet (soprano, tenor, and 2 baritones) with chorus and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc11605 12-in. 9/20/1927 Trial by jury D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal quartet (soprano, tenor, and 2 baritones), with orchestra ; vocal quintet (soprano, tenor, and 3 baritones) with chorus and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc11606 12-in. 9/20/1927 Trial by jury D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal quintet (soprano, tenor, and 3 baritones) with chorus and orchestra; vocal duet (soprano, and tenor) with chorus and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc11644 12-in. 9/29/1927 Trial by jury D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Baritone vocal solo, with chorus and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc11645 12-in. 9/29/1927 Trial by jury D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal trio (soprano, baritone, and bass), with chorus and orchestra; Vocal duet (soprano, and baritone), with chorus and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc11646 12-in. 9/29/1927 Trial by jury D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Vocal quintet (soprano, 3 baritones, and bass), with chorus and orchestra; tenor vocal solo, with female chorus and orchestra ; vocal duet (2 baritones), with chorus and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc18636 12-in. 2/4/1930 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Bertha Lewis Female vocal solo, chorus, and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc18637 12-in. 2/4/1930 H.M.S. Pinafore George Baker ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Bertha Lewis Vocal soloists and chorus, with orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc18638 12-in. 2/4/1930 H.M.S. Pinafore George Baker ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Bertha Lewis Vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc18639 12-in. 2/4/1930 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Charles Goulding ; Sydney Granville ; Bertha Lewis Vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc18640 12-in. 2/4/1930 H.M.S. Pinafore George Baker ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Darrell Fancourt ; Charles Goulding ; Sydney Granville ; Elsie Griffin Vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc18641 12-in. 2/4/1930 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Charles Goulding ; Sydney Granville ; Elsie Griffin ; Stuart Robertson Vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc18642 12-in. 2/5/1930 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc18643 12-in. 2/5/1930 H.M.S. Pinafore George Baker ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; London Symphony Orchestra ; Malcolm Sargent Male vocal solo, chorus, and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc18644 12-in. 2/6/1930 H.M.S. Pinafore George Baker ; Nellie Briercliffe ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Henry A. Lytton Vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc18645 12-in. 2/6/1930 H.M.S. Pinafore Nellie Briercliffe ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Henry A. Lytton Vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc18647 12-in. 2/6/1930 H.M.S. Pinafore Nellie Briercliffe ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Darrell Fancourt ; Charles Goulding ; Sydney Granville ; Elsie Griffin ; Bertha Lewis ; Stuart Robertson Vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc18648 12-in. 2/6/1930 H.M.S. Pinafore George Baker ; Nellie Briercliffe ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Darrell Fancourt ; Charles Goulding ; Sydney Granville ; Elsie Griffin ; Bertha Lewis ; Henry A. Lytton ; Stuart Robertson Vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc18649 12-in. 2/6/1930 H.M.S. Pinafore Nellie Briercliffe ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Darrell Fancourt ; Charles Goulding ; Sydney Granville ; Elsie Griffin Vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc18698 12-in. 3/14/1930 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Elsie Griffin Vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc18704 12-in. 3/14/1930 H.M.S. Pinafore D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Elsie Griffin Vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc18705 12-in. 3/14/1930 H.M.S. Pinafore George Baker ; Nellie Briercliffe ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Darrell Fancourt ; Charles Goulding ; Elsie Griffin ; Bertha Lewis ; Henry A. Lytton Vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra Vocal group  
Gramophone Cc18713 12-in. 3/24/1930 H.M.S. Pinafore George Baker ; D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ; Darrell Fancourt ; Elsie Griffin ; Henry A. Lytton Vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra Vocal group  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "D'Oyly Carte Opera Company," accessed April 26, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/100059.

D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/100059.

"D'Oyly Carte Opera Company." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 26 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/100059

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