Fanny Holland
Encyclopedia
Fanny Holland was an English singer and comic actress primarily known as the creator of principal soprano
roles in numerous German Reed Entertainments.
For several years, she was a popular concert singer in London and the British provinces. Frederic Clay
engaged her for a part in an operetta
he had written. It was performed in Canterbury and included a song for Holland that she popularised, "She Wandered Down the Mountain Side." Soon after that experience, Holland made her London stage debut with the German Reed Entertainment
s at the Gallery of Illustration, in November 1869, as Rose in W. S. Gilbert
and Clay's Ages Ago
. Holland eventually appeared in scores of German Reed productions. They included four more of Gilbert's German Reed pieces: Our Island Home
(1870), A Sensation Novel
(1871), Happy Arcadia
(1872), and Eyes and No Eyes
(1875). She also starred in Dora's Dream
, with music by Alfred Cellier
and words by Arthur Cecil
(1873). Holland also appeared in Gilbert's Topsyturveydom
at the Criterion Theatre
in 1874.
Holland returned to the German Reeds in 1875. In 1877, she married actor-playwright Arthur Law
, with whom she appeared with the German Reeds. The couple had a son named Hamilton Patrick John Holland Law (born 1879). During a two-year period, from 1879 to 1881, Law and Holland performed on tour as "Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Law's Entertainment," but the venture proved unsuccessful. Holland then remained with the German Reeds at their new theatre, St. George's Hall
, until 1895, except when she performed with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company
at the Opera Comique
, as Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore
from December 1879 through February 1880, at the close of the run.
At St. George's she played in entertainments too numerous to list. In 1877 alone, she appeared in A Night Surprise by her husband, Arthur Law, writing under the pseudonym, "West Cromer"; Number 204 by F. C. Burnand, with music by Mr. German Reed; A Happy Bungalow, by Law, with music by King Hall; Once in a Century by Gilbert Arthur à Beckett
, with music by Vivian Bligh; and Our New Doll’s House by W. Wye, with music by Cotsford Dick. Her fellow players, besides the German Reeds, and their son Alfred, included Law, Cecil, Corney Grain
, Leonora Braham
and Carlotta Carrington. Among many other works by her husband, she played in his 1882 play Nobody's Fault.
In 1895, the German Reed partnership dissolved, following the deaths of Corney Grain and Alfred German Reed. One of Holland's last appearances at St. George's Hall was in an 1895 revival of Happy Arcadia, under the management of Rutland Barrington
. She later appeared in Henry Arthur Jones
's comedy The Manoeuvers of Jane at the Haymarket Theatre
in 1898-99.
Holland died in Bournemouth
at the age of 83.
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
roles in numerous German Reed Entertainments.
Life and career
Holland was born in London and trained at the Royal Academy of Music. She was the daughter of John Holland and his wife Meriel Ann nee Marshall.For several years, she was a popular concert singer in London and the British provinces. Frederic Clay
Frederic Clay
Frederic Emes Clay was an English composer known principally for his music written for the stage. Clay, a great friend of Arthur Sullivan's, wrote four comic operas with W. S...
engaged her for a part in an operetta
Operetta
Operetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English-language works, to forms of musical theatre.-Origins:...
he had written. It was performed in Canterbury and included a song for Holland that she popularised, "She Wandered Down the Mountain Side." Soon after that experience, Holland made her London stage debut with the German Reed Entertainment
German Reed Entertainment
German Reed Entertainment was founded in 1855 and operated by Thomas German Reed together with his wife, Priscilla Reed née Horton...
s at the Gallery of Illustration, in November 1869, as Rose in W. S. Gilbert
W. S. Gilbert
Sir William Schwenck Gilbert was an English dramatist, librettist, poet and illustrator best known for his fourteen comic operas produced in collaboration with the composer Sir Arthur Sullivan, of which the most famous include H.M.S...
and Clay's Ages Ago
Ages Ago
Ages Ago is a musical entertainment with a libretto by W. S. Gilbert and music by Frederic Clay that premiered on 22 November 1869 at the Royal Gallery of Illustration. It marked the beginning of a seven year long collaboration between the two. The piece was revived many times, including at St...
. Holland eventually appeared in scores of German Reed productions. They included four more of Gilbert's German Reed pieces: Our Island Home
Our Island Home
Our Island Home is a one-act musical entertainment with a libretto by W. S. Gilbert and music by Thomas German Reed that premiered on June 20, 1870 at the Royal Gallery of Illustration...
(1870), A Sensation Novel
A Sensation Novel
A Sensation Novel is a comic musical play in three acts written by librettist W. S. Gilbert and composer Thomas German Reed. It was first performed on 31 January 1871 at the Royal Gallery of Illustration...
(1871), Happy Arcadia
Happy Arcadia
Happy Arcadia is a musical entertainment with a libretto by W. S. Gilbert and music originally by Frederic Clay that premiered on 28 October 1872 at the Royal Gallery of Illustration. It was one of four collaborations between Gilbert and Clay between 1869 and 1876. The music is lost...
(1872), and Eyes and No Eyes
Eyes and No Eyes
Eyes and No Eyes, or The Art of Seeing is a one-act musical entertainment with a libretto by W. S. Gilbert and music originally by Thomas German Reed that premiered on July 5, 1875 at St. George's Hall in London and ran for only a month. The original music was lost, and twenty years later new...
(1875). She also starred in Dora's Dream
Dora's Dream
Dora's Dream is a one-act operetta, with music composed by Alfred Cellier and a libretto by Arthur Cecil.The piece was first performed at the Royal Gallery of Illustration on 3 July 1873, with Fanny Holland and Arthur Cecil starring in the two roles...
, with music by Alfred Cellier
Alfred Cellier
Alfred Cellier was an English composer, orchestrator and conductor.In addition to conducting and music directing the original productions of several of the most famous Gilbert and Sullivan works and writing the overtures to some of them, Cellier conducted at many theatres in London, New York and...
and words by Arthur Cecil
Arthur Cecil
Arthur Cecil Blunt, better known as Arthur Cecil was an English actor, comedian, playwright and theatre manager. He is probably best remembered for playing the role of Box in the long-running production of Cox and Box, by Arthur Sullivan and F. C...
(1873). Holland also appeared in Gilbert's Topsyturveydom
Topsyturveydom
Topsyturveydom is a one-act operetta by W. S. Gilbert with music by Alfred Cellier. Styled "an entirely original musical extravaganza", it is based on one of Gilbert's Bab Ballads, "My Dream". It opened on 21 March 1874 at the Criterion Theatre in London and ran until 17 April, for about 25...
at the Criterion Theatre
Criterion Theatre
The Criterion Theatre is a West End theatre situated on Piccadilly Circus in the City of Westminster, and is a Grade II* listed building. It has an official capacity of 588.-Building the theatre:...
in 1874.
Holland returned to the German Reeds in 1875. In 1877, she married actor-playwright Arthur Law
Arthur Law
William Arthur Law , better known as Arthur Law, was an English playwright, actor and scenic designer.-Life and career:...
, with whom she appeared with the German Reeds. The couple had a son named Hamilton Patrick John Holland Law (born 1879). During a two-year period, from 1879 to 1881, Law and Holland performed on tour as "Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Law's Entertainment," but the venture proved unsuccessful. Holland then remained with the German Reeds at their new theatre, St. George's Hall
St. George's Hall (London)
St. George's Hall was a theatre located in Langham Place, Regent Street in London, built in 1867, which closed in 1966. The hall could accommodate between 800 and 900 persons, or up to 1,500 persons including the galleries...
, until 1895, except when she performed with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company
D'Oyly Carte Opera Company
The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company was a professional light opera company that staged Gilbert and Sullivan's Savoy operas. The company performed nearly year-round in the UK and sometimes toured in Europe, North America and elsewhere, from the 1870s until it closed in 1982. It was revived in 1988 and...
at the Opera Comique
Opera Comique
The Opera Comique was a 19th-century theatre constructed in Westminster, London, between Wych Street and Holywell Street with entrances on the East Strand. It opened in 1870 and was demolished in 1902, to make way for the construction of the Aldwych and Kingsway...
, as Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore
H.M.S. Pinafore
H.M.S. Pinafore; or, The Lass That Loved a Sailor is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and a libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It opened at the Opera Comique in London, England, on 25 May 1878 and ran for 571 performances, which was the second-longest run of any musical...
from December 1879 through February 1880, at the close of the run.
At St. George's she played in entertainments too numerous to list. In 1877 alone, she appeared in A Night Surprise by her husband, Arthur Law, writing under the pseudonym, "West Cromer"; Number 204 by F. C. Burnand, with music by Mr. German Reed; A Happy Bungalow, by Law, with music by King Hall; Once in a Century by Gilbert Arthur à Beckett
Gilbert Arthur a Beckett
Gilbert Arthur à Beckett was an English writer.-Biography:Beckett was born at Hammersmith, United Kingdom, the eldest son of Gilbert Abbott à Beckett and the brother of Arthur William à Beckett...
, with music by Vivian Bligh; and Our New Doll’s House by W. Wye, with music by Cotsford Dick. Her fellow players, besides the German Reeds, and their son Alfred, included Law, Cecil, Corney Grain
Richard Corney Grain
Richard Corney Grain , known by his stage name Corney Grain, was an entertainer and songwriter of the late Victorian era.-Biography:...
, Leonora Braham
Leonora Braham
Leonora Braham , born Leonora Lucy Abraham, was an English opera singer and actress primarily known as the creator of principal soprano roles in the Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas....
and Carlotta Carrington. Among many other works by her husband, she played in his 1882 play Nobody's Fault.
In 1895, the German Reed partnership dissolved, following the deaths of Corney Grain and Alfred German Reed. One of Holland's last appearances at St. George's Hall was in an 1895 revival of Happy Arcadia, under the management of Rutland Barrington
Rutland Barrington
Rutland Barrington was an English singer, actor, comedian, and Edwardian musical comedy star. Best remembered for originating the lyric baritone roles in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas from 1877 to 1896, his performing career spanned more than four decades...
. She later appeared in Henry Arthur Jones
Henry Arthur Jones
Henry Arthur Jones was an English dramatist.-Biography:Jones was born at Granborough, Buckinghamshire to Silvanus Jones, a farmer. He began to earn his living early, his spare time being given to literary pursuits...
's comedy The Manoeuvers of Jane at the Haymarket Theatre
Haymarket Theatre
The Theatre Royal Haymarket is a West End theatre in the Haymarket in the City of Westminster which dates back to 1720, making it the third-oldest London playhouse still in use...
in 1898-99.
Holland died in Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
at the age of 83.
External links
- Fanny Holland at Who Was Who in the D'Oyly Carte
- www.gabrielleray.150m.com/ArchivePressText2003/20030426.html Information about, and review of, Holland