Southampton Operatic Society
Encyclopedia
Southampton
Operatic Society began life in 1924 as the Guild of the Above Bar Congregational Church and is the oldest musical society in the city.
Miss Edith Ashdown, the daughter of a Southampton businessman and a member of the Above Bar Congregational Church, gathered her friends (including Evelyn Thorne who ran a local ladies’ choir) to perform a musical play Princess Juju. This was well received so they decided to form a society and present Merrie England
by Edward German
at the Watts Hall.
For the next five years, the society alternated between dramatic and musical productions under the title of Southampton Above Bar Musical and Dramatic Society but in 1930 it separated into two distinct bodies - operatic and dramatic. The latter group, The Southampton Amateur Dramatic Society (SADS) no longer exists.
The Second World War curtailed the activities of the society between 1939 and 1945 but it soon reformed to perform “Merrie England” once more in 1946.
The works of Gilbert & Sullivan soon became the society’s annual offering and it was not until 1980 that it began to perform two shows a year – even then it did not perform the full set of G&S operettas until its production of The Grand Duke
in 2006. Since 1978 it has added musicals and classical operas to its repertoire.
Several past members have moved onto the professional stage including Barry Clark
, Valerie Nunns, Anne Osborne. and Claire Rutter
(who is Vice President of the Society).
In 1987 a junior section was formed in an effort to introduce younger members to its ranks and this has been a successful development. Now called Debut Youth Theatre it too has been the launch pad for several professional careers, notably Rae Baker
, Nyle Wolfe
, Laura Carmichael
and, Simon Pontin.
Since 1998 the Society has been a regular contestant at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival
held annually at Buxton Opera House
and has won several awards, most recently for the Best Concerted Item in for 'The Matter Trio' from Ruddigore
in 2008.
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
Operatic Society began life in 1924 as the Guild of the Above Bar Congregational Church and is the oldest musical society in the city.
Miss Edith Ashdown, the daughter of a Southampton businessman and a member of the Above Bar Congregational Church, gathered her friends (including Evelyn Thorne who ran a local ladies’ choir) to perform a musical play Princess Juju. This was well received so they decided to form a society and present Merrie England
Merrie England
Merrie England may also refer to:*Merry England, an idealised conception pastoral English life*Merrie England , a book of essays on socialism by Robert Blatchford* Merrie England , a comic opera by Edward German...
by Edward German
Edward German
Sir Edward German was an English musician and composer of Welsh descent, best remembered for his extensive output of incidental music for the stage and as a successor to Arthur Sullivan in the field of English comic opera.As a youth, German played the violin and led the town orchestra, also...
at the Watts Hall.
For the next five years, the society alternated between dramatic and musical productions under the title of Southampton Above Bar Musical and Dramatic Society but in 1930 it separated into two distinct bodies - operatic and dramatic. The latter group, The Southampton Amateur Dramatic Society (SADS) no longer exists.
The Second World War curtailed the activities of the society between 1939 and 1945 but it soon reformed to perform “Merrie England” once more in 1946.
The works of Gilbert & Sullivan soon became the society’s annual offering and it was not until 1980 that it began to perform two shows a year – even then it did not perform the full set of G&S operettas until its production of The Grand Duke
The Grand Duke
The Grand Duke; or, The Statutory Duel, is the final Savoy Opera written by librettist W. S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan, their fourteenth and last opera together. It premiered at the Savoy Theatre on March 7, 1896, and ran for 123 performances...
in 2006. Since 1978 it has added musicals and classical operas to its repertoire.
Several past members have moved onto the professional stage including Barry Clark
Barry Clark (singer)
Barry Clark is an English opera singer. Beginning in the 1970s, Clark played tenor roles in the Savoy Operas for over a decade with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. He then sang in various opera companies, including New Sadler's Wells and Scottish Opera, and played in musicals on the West End...
, Valerie Nunns, Anne Osborne. and Claire Rutter
Claire Rutter
Claire Rutter is an English operatic soprano.-Biography:Claire Rutter studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and at the National Opera Studio. Her title role performances have included those in Tosca, La Traviata and Aida at English National Opera...
(who is Vice President of the Society).
In 1987 a junior section was formed in an effort to introduce younger members to its ranks and this has been a successful development. Now called Debut Youth Theatre it too has been the launch pad for several professional careers, notably Rae Baker
Rae Baker
Rae Baker , is an English actress.-Biography:Born to a carpenter father, her brother Kevin is an electronics engineer...
, Nyle Wolfe
Nyle Wolfe
Nyle Wolfe , trained as a singer at the Cork School of Music and the Leinster school of Music & Drama Dublin. He graduated from The Royal Academy of Music London with the conservatory's highest academic award and won a scholarship to complete his studies at the Zurich Opera House...
, Laura Carmichael
Laura Carmichael
Laura Carmichael is a British actress. She was educated at The Mountbatten School, Peter Symonds College, and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and her TV appearances include Downton Abbey. She is also a member of The Fitzrovia Radio Hour.-Filmography:...
and, Simon Pontin.
Since 1998 the Society has been a regular contestant at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival
International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival
The International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival is held every summer at the Opera House in Buxton, Derbyshire, England. The three-week Festival of Gilbert and Sullivan performances and fringe events attracts thousands of visitors, including performers, supporters, and G&S enthusiasts from all...
held annually at Buxton Opera House
Buxton Opera House
Buxton Opera House is in The Square, Buxton, Derbyshire, England. It is a 902-seat opera house that hosts the annual Buxton Festival and International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival, among others, as well as pantomime at Christmas, musicals and other entertainments year-round. Hosting live...
and has won several awards, most recently for the Best Concerted Item in for 'The Matter Trio' from Ruddigore
Ruddigore
Ruddigore; or, The Witch's Curse, originally called Ruddygore, is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It is one of the Savoy Operas and the tenth of fourteen comic operas written together by Gilbert and Sullivan...
in 2008.