Carl Rosa Opera Company, Royal

views updated

Carl Rosa Opera Company, Royal. Eng. opera co. founded 1875 in Dublin and London by Ger. violinist Karl August Nicolaus Rose who settled in Eng. in 1866 and became known as Carl Rosa. Rosa died in 1889, when co. became touring organization and was accorded title ‘Royal’ by Queen Victoria in 1893. Alfred van Noorden dir. 1900–16; Arthur Winckworth and Rosa's second wife were co-dir. 1916–23; H. B. Phillips dir. 1923–50. After various dissensions, Arts Council withdrew subsidy in 1958 and co. became defunct, and attempt to revive it failed in 1960. Last perf. (Don Giovanni) was at Prince's Th., London, on 17 Sept. 1960. Policy was opera in English and co. provided invaluable training-ground for many singers. Gave f.p. in England of Massenet's Manon (1885), Humperdinck's Hänsel und Gretel (1894), Puccini's La bohème (1897), and Giordano's Andrea Chénier (1903).

About this article

Carl Rosa Opera Company, Royal

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article