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The flowers that bloom in the Spring!
The stage is now set for one of
the most exciting periods in theatrical history. Enter now our third great
talent - Richard D'Oyly
Carte. His father, an infant prodigy on the violin (shades of Mozart!) went on
to become a famous flautist. He eloped with Eliza, vivacious dark-eyed daughter
of the Revd. Thomas Jones, from a Welsh branch of the old Norman family - D'Oyly,
and became a director of a flute making business which introduced the saxophone
to England.
I Know my Notes, I Count Each Bar
. . .!
Our Richard, educated at
London University, joined the family firm, and composed music for some
successful London operas. He also possessed a rare talent for detail and his great vision
was to set up English comic opera in its own specialist theatre.
Thou the Singer; I the Song!
One day, as the Royalty Theatre manager,
Richard approached Gilbert for a short
operetta to support Offenbach's La Perichole. He was persuaded to read 'Trial By
Jury' to Sullivan, who loved it. This epoch making meeting altered the course of
operetta for all time; spawning 14 of the finest
English operas.
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