“Negotiations are in progress with the Carl Rosa Company for the formation of a “Carmen” company, with Madame Marie Roze at its head. Considering how justly popular the Carmen of the French prima donna has become throughout the provinces, we should say that this is a judicious move. Madame Roze left for Paris yesterday, to fulfil some concert engagements there.” [Birmingham Daily Post, Issue: 9964, Saturday, May 31, 1890]
“Negotiations are in progress with the Carl Rosa Opera Company for the formation of a “Carmen” company, with Madame Marie Roze aft its head. Madame Roze will leave London on Monday for Paris, whence, after singing at some concerts, she will proceed to Aix-les Bains for a holiday, returning in September. By the way, Madame Roze‘s brooch has had a curious adventure at the Royal Italian Opera. It was a presentation brooch of diamonds and other stones, and it became unfastened from the lady’s shoulder and fell from a private box into the stalls. There it was observed to drop upon the left chest of a gentleman, whose very natural indignation at being asked to search the breast pocket of his dress coat was succeeded by a look of utter bewilderment when he did so and pulled out the missing trinket.” [Western Daily Press, Yeovil, Issue: 9977, Friday, May 31, 1890]
“The Carl Rosa “Carmen” company is now complete. The season will commence at Leicester on February 9, the company afterwards visiting the principal towns of Scotland and England, performing “Faust,” “Bohemian Girl,” “Il Trovatore,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Mignon” and “Fidelio.” The artists comprise Mesdams Marie Roze, Sherwin, and Jenny Dikerson, Lily Moody, and Lizzie Burgess (a debutante); Messrs Lely, Celli, Fisher, Ralston, Holland, Hayes, and the American tenor Montegriffe. Mr Walter Van Noorden will be conductor, The document by which Mr Harris and the troupe part company was, by the way, signed to-day, had it has now been finally decided to abandon the projected Easter season at Drury Lane.” [Glasgow Herald, Issue: 20, Friday, Jan. 23, 1891]
| The Carl Rosa “Carmen Company” 1891 |
Manager: Mr. T. H. Friend
Business Manager: Mr. T. Pitt
| Leicester, Opera House [1 week] | |
| Mon 9th Feb 1981 | Carmen |
| Tue 10th Feb 1891 | Bohemian Girl – Mr. A Montegriffo (Thaddaeus), Mr. F. H. Celli (Count Arnheim) |
| Wed 11th Feb 1891 | Carmen |
| Thu 12th Feb 1891 | Faust |
| Fri 13th Feb 1891 | Carmen |
| Sat 14th Feb 1891 | Il Trovatore |
| “The Carl Rosa Carmen Company started last week at Leicester, and Mme Marie Roze was in excellent form in the title part. Mr Frank Celli made his first appearance as the Toreador with great success.” [Bristol Mercury, Issue 13343, Tuesday 17th Feb 1891] |
| Liverpool, Royal Court Theatre [1 week] | |
| Mon 16th Feb 1891 | ? |
| Hull, Theatre Royal [1 week] | |
| Mon 23rd Feb 1891 | Carmen |
| Tue 24th Feb 1891 | Faust |
| Wed 25th Feb 1891 | Carmen |
| Thu 26th Feb 1891 | Bohemian Girl |
| Fri 27th Feb 1891 | Carmen |
| Sat 28th Feb 1891 | Il Trovatore |
| Huddersfield, Theatre Royal | |
| Mon 2nd Mar 1891 | Carmen |
| Tue 3rd Mar 1891 | Faust |
| Wed 4th Mar 1891 | Carmen |
| Thu 5th Mar 1891 | Bohemian Girl |
| Fri 6th Mar 1891 | Carmen |
| Sat 7th Mar 1891 |
“The tour of the Carl Rosa “Carmen” company will not end on May 11, as at first arranged, but on May 23. This change is due no doubt to the success everywhere met with, especially when Madame Marie Roze appears in her favourite part.” [Dundee Evening Telegraph, Issue 4375, Tuesday 3rd March 1981]
| Middlesborough, Theatre Royal [1 week] | |
| Mon 9th Mar 1891 | Carmen [billed as “Farewell performances of MADAME MARIE ROZE”] – Mr.Durward Lely (Don Jose), Miss Lizzie Burgess (Michaela), Mr F. H. Celli (Escamillo), Mr. P. Hayes (Dancairo), Mr. Charles Fisher (Remendado), Mr. W. Franklin (Morales), Mr. V. Thornleigh (Lillas Pastia), Mr. Bowman Ralston (Zuniga), Miss Minnie Hunt (Frasquita), Miss Lillie Moody (Mercedes), Madame Marie Roze (Carmen); c. Mr. Walter van Noorden |
| Tue 10th Mar 1891 | Faust – Mr. A Montigriffo (Faust), Mr. Bowman Ralston (Mephistopheles), Mr. W. Franklin (Wagner), Mr. Wilfred Howard (Valentine), Miss Riseam (Matha), Miss Lillie Moody (Siebel), Miss Amy Sherwin (Marguerita); c. Mr. Walter van Noorden |
| Wed 11th Mar 1891 | Carmen |
| Thu 12 Mar 1891 | Bohemian Girl |
| Fri 13 Mar 1891 | Carmen |
| Sat 14 Mat 1891 (m) | Bohemian Girl |
| Sat 14 Mat 1891 (e) | Il Trovatore |
| Newcastle-on-Tyne, Tyne Theatre [1 week] | |
| Mon 16th Mar 1891 | ? |
“…Miss Fanny Davies, pianoforte; and Miss Amy Sherwin, vocalist. The last-named is the only stranger of the party, but she brings with her a reputation worthy of the distinguished artistes with whom she is known to be associated in Dundee. Miss Sherwin, who is known as the “Australian Nightingale,” is a native of Tasmania. She made her debut in Melbourne, and then went to New York, where she studied under various eminent teachers. Since then, she has fulfilled important engagements on the Continent and in Great Britain. She is at present under engagement with the Carl Rosa Opera Company, singing on nights alternately with Madame Marie Roze on the “Carmen” Company. Miss Sherwin is therefore well fitted to be the companion of artistes so distinguished as Dr. Joachim, Signor Piatti, and Miss Davies….” [Dundee Courier, Issue 11761, Tuesday 17th Mar 1891]
| Glasgow, Theatre Royal [1 week] | |
| Mon 23 Mar 1891 | Carmen [billed as “Farewell performances of MADAME MARIE ROZE”] – Mr.Durward Lely (Don Jose), Miss Lizzie Burgess (Michaela), Mr F. H. Celli (Escamillo), Mr. P. Hayes (Dancairo), Mr. Charles Fisher (Remendado), Mr. W. Franklin (Morales), Mr. V. Thornleigh (Lillas Pastia), Mr. Bowman Ralston (Zuniga), Miss Minnie Hunt (Frasquita), Miss Lillie Moody (Mercedes), Madame Marie Roze (Carmen); c. Mr. Walter van Noorden |
| “DURWARD LELY AS DON JOSE – Mr. Durward Lely, who is at present on tour with the Carl Rosa Carmen Company, sang in Glasgow last night. Of his appearance in the new role the Glasgow Herald says:- In the part of Don Jose the audience recognised with pleasure a gentleman who is no stranger here, although his visits have hitherto been under different auspices. Mr. Durward Lely personated the part with much power, manifesting an easy grace well befitting the accepted lover in the earlier acts, and admirably portraying the growing jealousy and the outbursts of passion which mark the close of the opera. Mr. Lely sang with much acceptance. The N. B. Daily Mail says:- Mr. Durward Lely made a capital Jose. His brilliant rendering of the music allotted to the part was one of the specila points of the performance, and he acted all through with spirit and intelligence. In the scene in the second act where he makes his final appeal to Carmen his grand command of vocal expression was brought into play with excellent effect, and elicited general and hearty applause. His acting in the final scene was at once powerful and reticent. Mr. Lely is to sing at the concluding popular concert in Dundee on Saturday.” [Dundee Evening Telegraph, Issue 4393, Tuesday 24th March 1891] | |
| “The Carl Rosa Carmen Company began a week’s engagement at the Theatre Royal last night, appearing in the opera from which the combination takes its name. The principal member of the company is Madame Marie Roze, and no doubt to some extent in consequence of the fact that the present are her farewell performances the attendance last night was most encouraging, every part of the house being well filled. But Madame Roze does not monopolize all the talent of the company, which includes besides one or two ladies and gentlemen whose names are familiar here. Neither does “Carmen,” although the name of the company would seem to indicate so, exhaust the repertoire, for three other operas are underlined for as many different evenings during the week. Glasgow audiences are tolerably well acquainted with Madame Roze‘s impersonmation of the heroine of Bizet’s masterpiece. The part, as all theatre-goers know, is a difficult one adequately to realiuse. Carmen is dominated by coquettish vanity and heartless levity, and while Madame Roze succeeds in delineating these feelings with realistic power, she yet steers clear of any approach to unncecessary flippancy or coarseness. Her conception of the part is a thoroughly consistent one. Madame Roze had a cordial recption last night. Miss Lizzie Burgess as Michaela rendered the music of the part with appropriate simplicity, purity and pathos, winning well-deserved applause. Miss Lillie Moodie and Miss Minnie Hunt as Mercedes and Frasquita respectively made as much as could be made of their slight characters. In the part of Don Jose, the audience recognised with pleasure a gentleman who is no stranger here, although his visits have hitherto been under different auspices. Mr. Durward Lely personated the part with much power, manifesting an easy grace, well befitting the accepted lover in the earlier acts, and admirably portraying the growing jealousy and the outbursts of passion which mark the close of the opera. Mr. Lely sang with much acceptance. Escamillo found an excellent exponent in Mr. F. H., Celli, who looks the part to perfection. The well-known Toreador song was given with great gusto, and, as a matter of course, was encored, as were also severeal other numbers of the opera. Mr. Celli sang throughout with force and intelligence. The other parts were well filled. The chorus, although a fairly good one, was not absolutely faultless last night, but with the playing of the orchestra little exception could be taken. Mr. Walter van Noorden is conductor.” [Glasgow Herald, Issue 71, Tuesday 24th March 1891] | |
| Tue 24 Mar 1891 | Faust |
| Wed 25 Mar 1891 | Carmen [billed as “Farewell performances of MADAME MARIE ROZE”] – Mr.Durward Lely (Don Jose), Miss Amy Sherwin (Michaela), Mr Max Eugene (Escamillo), Mr. P. Hayes (Dancairo), Mr. Charles Fisher (Remendado), Mr. W. Franklin (Morales), Mr. V. Thornleigh (Lillas Pastia), Mr. Bowman Ralston (Zuniga), Miss Minnie Hunt (Frasquita), Miss Lily Moody (Mercedes), Madame Marie Roze (Carmen); c. Mr. Walter van Noorden |
| Thu 26 Mar 1891 | Bohemian Girl |
| Fri 27 Mar 1891 | Carmen |
| Sat 28 Mar 1891 (m) | Bohemian Girl (commencing 2pm) |
| Sat 28 Mar 1891 (e) | Il Trovatore – Madame Marie Roze (Leonora) |
[A “popular concert” is also mentioned as being scheduled for Saturday 28th Mar]
| Edinburgh, Royal Lyceum Theatre [1 week] | |
| Mon 30 Mar 1891 | Carmen – Madame Marie Roze |
| Tue 31 Mar 1891 | ? |
| Wed 1 Apr 1891 | ? |
| Thu 2 Apr 1891 | Bohemian Girl |
| Fri 3 Apr 1891 | Carmen – Madame Marie Roze |
| Hanley, Theatre Royal [1 week] | |
| Mon 6 Apr 1891 | ? |
| Bradford, Theatre Royal [1 week] | |
| Mon 13 Apr 1891 | ? |
| Bristol, Prince’s Theatre [1 week] | |
| “Lovers of operatic music will look forward with intense interest to the approaching visit to this city of the Carl Rosa Carmen Company, whose engagement at the Prince’s Theatre will commence on April 20th. The programme includes “Carmen,” “Faust,” “Bohemian Girl,” and “Trovatore.” Madame Marie Roze will, of course, be the great attraction, and a contemporary in the course of an eulogistic notice of her impersonation of Carmen says:- ‘Her splendid stage presence, remarkable vivacity, and consummate acting power, together with her masterly vocalism, make up as picturesque a Carmen as can well be conceived. Her singing of the charmibng, if often trying chromatic melodies with which the part is enriched, leaves nothing but refreshing memories.’ It is vary rarely that Bristolians have an opportunity of hearing operas in the spring of the year, and the moderate prices which have been fixed by the management ought to ensure large audiuences each evening during the visit of the company.” [Bristol Mercury, Issue 13390, Monday 13th April 1891] | |
| Mon 20 Apr 1891 | Carmen – Madame Marie Roze (Carmen), Mr Durward Lely (Don Jose), Mr. F. H. Celli (Escamillo), Miss Lizzie Burgess (Michaela), Mr. P. Hayes (Dancairo), Mr Charles Fisher (Remendado), Mr Bowman Ralston (Zuniga), Mr W. Franklin (Morales); Miss Lily Moody (Mercedes), Miss Minnie Hunt (Frasquita) |
| “The visits of Mme. Marie Roze to Bristol have always been anticipated with considerable pleasure, but rarely have they been regarded with greater interest than was manifested last evening, when the Carl Rosa Carmen Company commenced a week’s engagement the Prince’s Theatre. The performance was the first of the farewell appearances of Mme. Roze in “Carmen” and “Il Trovatore,” and that the selection of Bizet’s romantic opera for the opening night met with popular approval was demonstrated beyond question. Mme. Roze‘s delightful representation of the title part in “Carmen,” has contributed not a little to the success which the piece has enjoyed; and nowhere does she meet with a more hearty reception than amongst Bristolians, by whom her performances in the various works popularly associated with her name have during the past seven or eight years been keenly appreciated. The house was well filled in all parts last night; and the audience extended a cordial welcome, not only to Mme. Marie Roze, but also to other members of the company, whilst they were at no time slow in acknowledging the attractiveness of the whole performance. The part of the fascinating gipsy girl, Carmen, is distinctly one of Mme. Roze‘s greatest successes; and her representation of the wayward coquette was marked by that gaiety and vivacity which have before now won the golden opinions of Bristol audiences. She was uniformly successful in her delineation of all the varying moods of the impulsive, passionate gipsy, who, having been arrested and put under the care of a Dragoon, plays with her guard’s peace of mind, eventually induces him to join a band of smugglers with which she is associated, and afterwards trifles with his affections. It was only a few moments after the applause which greeted Carmen’s entrance that there were marked expressions of delight at her charming rendering of the well known habanera “Love Will Like a Birdling Fly,” In her interviews with Jose, the Dragoon sergeant, she was equally fascinating both as the light-hearted maiden in the merriest of humours, and when avowing her affection for her soldier lover with all the passion characteristic of her race. She was in splendid voice, and her exquisite rendering of the parts allotted to her evoked repeated applause, the audience being occasionally loud in their recognition of the success attending her effort. Miss Lizzie Burgess was a very winning Michaela – the peasant girl, who brings to Jose a loving message from his mother, and afterwards conveys to him in the smugglers’ retreat the tidings that his mother is at the point of death, In her betrayal of her affection for Jose, and in her concern for his welfare, her acting was followed with sympathetic interest: and she scored a decided success in her duet with Jose, in the course of which she communicates the message from his mother, and subsequently in her aria on entering the retreat to which Jose had gone with the smuggler band. Mr Durward Lely did full justice to the trying part of Jose, of which he was the original representative in England, and he shared with Carmen the honours of the evening, his impassioned delivery of the words “Thou shalt hear me” being followed by repeated plaudits. Mr F, H. Celli, an old favourite with Bristolians, was an Escamillo of commanding presence, and his dramatic rendering of the toreador’s song elicited ,an irresistible encore; in reply he repeated the last verse. Mr. P. Hayes was becomingly fierce in the role of Dancairo; Mr Charles Fisher was very amusing as his companion Remendado; and other characters included: Zuniga, Mr Bowman Ralston; Morales, Mr W. Franklin; Mercedes, Miss Lily Moody; and Frasquita, Miss Minnie Hunt. In every respect the company was an unusually strong one, there being a powerful chorus, and the opera was elaborately mounted, After each Act the principal members of the company were recalled. This evening “Faust” will be produced, and Miss Amy Sherwin will take the part of Marguerita. Mr A. Montegriffo being down for Faust, and Mr F. H. Celli for Valentine. “Carmen” will be repeated on Wednesday and Friday, when Mme. Marie Roze will again appear; and she will also take part in “Il Trovatore” on Saturday. On Thursday Miss Amy Sherwin will play in the “Bohemian Girl,” [Bristol Mercury, Tuesday 21 April 1891] | |
| Tue 21 Apr 1891 | Faust – Miss Amy Sherwin (Marguerite), Mr. F. H. Celli (Mephistopheles), Miss Lily Moody (Siebel), Mr. A. Montegriffo (Faust); c. Walter van Noorden |
| “Bristolians have been so accustomed to regard the autumn as the only season of the year which brings grand opera into their midst that they seem hardly to have realised that, thanks to the enterprise of Mr J. M. Chute, they have this week an opportunity of enjoying first class opera at the Prince’s Theatre, produced by a company associated with the talismanic name of Carl Rosa, and including such well-known artists as Mme. Marie Roze, Miss Amy Sherwin, Mmes Lily Moody (a sister of Mme. Fanny Moody), Mr Durward Lely, and Mr F. H, Celli, It has frequently been suggested that a week of grand opera would be very acceptable in the spring, and if the result justifies the venture, Mr Chute will no doubt do his utmost to make the engagement an annual one, It is a matter for regret that, despite so strong an attraction as Gounod’s “Faust,” the audience last night was not so large as might have been expected, for, though a very fair house assembled, there were more empty seats in the better parts of the theatre than is usually the case when Gounod’s masterly work is produced by a Carl Rosa company. The cast differed materially from any which has hitherto been entrusted with the interpretation of the opera in Bristol, for with the exception of Mr F. H. Celli as Mephistopheles, we believe that none of the principal artists have before been seen in “Faust” in this city. Miss Amy Sherwin, who we understand is not unknown locally as a concert singer, must be congratulated on achieving a distinct success as Marguerite. The lady unites with a prepossessing presence a well-trained soprano voice of good quality, and her acting spoke volumes for the assiduity with which she has devoted herself to the study of the branch of the profession she has now adopted. She gave a really brilliant interpretation of the famous Bijou song in the second act, but she was not quite so successful in some of her subsequent efforts. Miss Lily Moody also scored as Siebel. She might have taken an encore for her rendering of the Flower song in the third act, but she contented herself with thrice bowing her acknowledgments. She responded, however, to an encore for an effective reading of the romance “When all was young,” in the fourth act, Mr A. Montegriffo was a satisfactory “Faust,” the only fault which could be found with his singing being an occasional unsteadiness. His foreign accent was also rather a disadvantage, but this was in a large measure accounted for by his capable acting. Mr F. H. Celli, as Mephistopheles, is too well-known in Bristol to need any comment, except that he added another to a long list of previous successes, his fine bass voice having seldom been heard to better advantage. Mr Wilfred Howard was well placed as Valentine, and the other parts were creditably presented. The choruses were sung’ with the precision always expected from a Carl Rosa Company, and the efficient orchestra was ably led by Mr Walter Van Noorden, Tonight “Carmen” will he repeated with Mme. Marie Roze in the title part.” [Bristol Mercury, Wednesday 22 April 1891] | |
| Wed 22 Apr 1891 | Carmen – Madame Marie Roze (Carmen) |
| Thu 23 Apr 1891 | Bohemian Girl – Miss Amy Sherwin |
| Fri 24 Apr 1891 | Carmen – Madame Marie Roze (Carmen), Mr Durward Lely (Don Jose), Mr. Max Eugene (Escamillo), Miss Amy Sherwin (Michaela), Mr. P. Hayes (Dancairo), Mr Charles Fisher (Remendado), Mr Bowman Ralston (Zuniga), Mr W. Franklin (Morales); Miss Michelmore (Mercedes), Miss Minnie Hunt (Frasquita); c. Walter van Noorden |
| Sat 25 Apr 1891 | Il Trovatore – Madame Marie Roze |
| “The highly successful week of grand opera at the Prince’s Theatre was brought to a close on Saturday night by a very pleasing performance of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore.” The house was filled in every part, for, in addition to the ordinary attraction of the Carl Rosa company, which is in itself a guarantee of a large audience, there was the circumstance that this was announced as the farewell appearance of Madame Marie Roze behind the footlights in Bristol. The prima donna was in excellent voice, and her spirited and pathetic rendering of the part of Leonora went far to increase the regret felt by her admirers at her approaching retirement, It goes without saying that her principal songs were encored, Miss Lily Moody, as Azucena, exhibited much dramatic power, Mr A. Montegriffo made a passionate Manrico, the prison scene in which he rejects the sacrifice of Leonora, being particularly effective. Mr Max Eugene’s energetic rendering of the ungrateful part of the Count di Luna extorted admiration for the villain of the old Italian melo-drama, The chief performers were all deservedly recalled several times.” [Bristol Mercury, Monday 27 April 1891] |
| Cardiff, Theatre Royal [1 week] | |
| Mon 27th Apr 1891 | Carmen – Madame Marie Roze (Carmen), Miss Amy Sherwin (Michaela) |
| Tue 28th Apr 1891 | Faust – Miss Amy Sherwin (Marguerite) |
| Wed 29th Apr 1891 | Carmen – Madame Marie Roze (Carmen) |
| Thu 30th Apr 1891 | The Bohemian Girl – Miss Lizzie Burgess (Arline) |
| Fri 1st May 1891 | Carmen – Madame Marie Roze (Carmen) |
| Sat 2nd May 1891 | Mignon – Madame Marie Roze (Mignon), Miss Amy Sherwin (Filina) |
“The provincial tour of the Carl Rosa Company, which has lasted for forty weeks, will come to an end at Birmingham to-morrow. To-day, we understand the general meeting of the shareholders will be held and the directors will give an account of their stewardship. The second, or “Carmen” Company, headed by Madame Marie Roze, has been received throughout the provinces with such fervour that the tour will be extended to the end of this month.” [London Daily News, Friday May 1st 1891]
| Manchester, Prince’s Theatre [1 week] | |
| Mon 4th May 1891 | Carmen – Mme. Marie Roze (Carmen), Mr. Durward Lely (Don Jose), Miss Lizzie Burgess (Michaela), Mr F. H. Celli (Escamillo), Mr. Aynsley Cook (Dancairo), Mr. C. Fisher (Remendado), Mr. W. Franklin (Morales), Mr. Bowman Ralston (Zuniga), Miss Lily Moody (Mercedes), Miss Minnie Hunt (Frasquita); c. Mr. E. Goosens |
| Tue 5th May 1891 | Faust – Miss Amy Sherwin (Marguerite), Mr. F. Runcio (Faust), Mr. F. H. Celli (Mephistopheles), Mr. W. Franklin (Wagner), Mr. Max Eugene (Valentine), Miss Lilly Moody (Siebel), Miss Riseam (Matha); c. Mr. E. Goosens |
| Wed 6th May 1891 | Carmen |
| Thu 7th May 1891 | Bohemian Girl – Miss Amy Sherwin (Arline) and Mr John Child (Thaddeus) |
| Fri 8th May 1891 | Carmen – Mme. Marie Roze (Carmen), Miss Lizzie Burgess (Michaela) [The Era reports Miss Amy Sherwin as Michaela on this date] |
| “The Carl Rosa “Carmen Company” is a recent development of the Carl Rosa Opera Company, and one that will be readily welcomed by the music-loving public inasmuch as it makes it possible for the best of the English operas, as they are called, to be heard more frequently than was formerly the case, and without any increase of the ordinary prices of admission. The company now appearing at the prince’s Theatre includes several well-known singers who have long been associated with the name of Carl Rosa, and these are supported by an efficient band and chorus, conducted by Mr. E. Goosens and Mr. Walter van Noorden. The repertory comprises Bizet’s “Carmen,” Gounod’s “Faust,” Balfe’s “Bohemian Girl,” and Verdi’s “Il Trovatore.”” [Manchester Times, Issue 1761, Friday 8th May 1891] | |
| Sat 9th May 1891 | Mignon – Miss Amy Sherwin (Filina), Madame Marie Roze (Mignon) [The Era notes “Trovatore” being announced for 9th may] |
| “PRINCE’S THEATRE- The Carl Rosa Carmen company is fulfilling a week’s engagement at this theatre. Carmen was performed on Monday, with Madame Marie Roze in her admirable impersonation of the Gipsy. Miss Lizzie Burgess, who has a fine pure voice, gave a charming impersonation of Michaela, and Mr Durward Lely as Jose is to be commended for his good singing. The other members of the cast include Messrs F. H. Celli, Aynsley Cook, Chas. Fisher, W. Franklin, and Bowman Ralston; Miss M. Michelmore and Minnie Hunt. The opera was repeated on Wednesday and Friday, the role of Michaela being last night undertaken by Miss Amy Sherwin. Faust was performed on Tuesday, the cast on this occasion including Miss Amy Sherwin as Marguerite, Miss Lily Moody as Siebel, Mr F. Runcio as Faust, Mr F. H. Celli as Mephistopheles, Mr Max Eugene as Valentine, and Mr W. Franklin as Wagner. Miss Sherwin displayed superior vocal ability. The Bohemian Girl, with that lady as Arline and Mr John Child as Thaddeus, was performed on Thursday, Trovatore being announced for to-night.” [The Era, Saturday 9 May 1891, Page 18] |
| Blackburn, Theatre Royal [1 week] | |
| Mon 11th May 1891 | Carmen – Madame Marie Rose (Carmen), Mr. Durward Lely (Don Jose), Mr. F. H. Celli (Escamillo), Mr Bowman Ralston (Zuniga), Miss Lizzie Burgess’s (Michaela), Miss Lily Moody (Mercedes), Miss Minnie Hunt (Frasquita), Mr P. Hayes (Dancairo), Mr Charles Fisher (Remendado) |
| Tue 12th May 1891 | Faust – Miss Amy Sherwin (Marguerite), Mr. John Child (Faust), Mr. Bowman Ralston (Mephistopheles), Mr. Max Eugene (Valentine), Miss Lily Moody (Siebel), Mr W. Franklin (Wagner) |
| Wed 13th May 1891 | Carmen |
| Thu 14th May 1891 | The Bohemian Girl – Miss Amy Sherwin (Arline), Mr. John Child (Thaddeus) |
| Fri 15th May 1891 | Carmen |
| Sat 16th May 1891 | Mignon – Madame Marie Roze (Mignon) |
| “During the week, commencing on May 11th, the Carl Rosa “Carmen” Company will appear at the Theatre Royal, and special arrangements have been made for the convenience of audiences during that time. The issue of subscription tickets is an innovation in Blackburn, which has met with a very kind reception already, though these tickets are only obtainable during the present week. Arrangements have also been made with the railway companies for the return of theatre-goers to the country districts.” [Blackburn Standard, Saturday May 2nd 1891] | |
| “On Monday evening an all too brief season of opera opened at the Theatre Royal. Blackburn has been much neglected by the Carl Rosa organisation of late years. We can remember well the time when the full company – then in the height of a novel success – used regularly to visit the Prince’s Theatre, creating quite a local musical furore, and drawing phenomenally large audiences. That time bid fare to be “past, with all its dizzy raptures.” The particular reason for the withdrawal of the Carl Rosian patronage we never knew, nor did perhaps anybody, unless it were the local manager: But the fact remains that since that period — now many years ago — no section of the late Carl Rosa’s brilliant company ever visited Blackburn until the present week. The arrangement this season, however, of a “Carmen Company” enabled the exception to be afforded to what was threatening to become the invariable rule, and as a result the Royal opened its doors on Monday night to a really telling interpretation of Georges Bizet’s glittering opera. It is impossible to write a single remark which would have the merit of not being trite about Carmen. It and Faust have been perhaps the most repeatedly performed of any operas the stage has ever seen, and years ago its gorgeous harmonies secured the popular vote and favour. There are now-a-days many excellent representatives of the titular role. But the present performance recalled to us the time when Madame Marie Rose was almost the only and ever the “ideal Carmen” for English audiences It was the fascinating, the bewitching, the fickle, coy and cruel creature, the veritable gipsy beauty which we had learned to associate with the role. Madame Roze, perhaps unduly, certainly tenderly, softens the failings, and whitewashes the shady spots in the career of Prosper Merimee’s heroine, but she looked as charmingly as ever, acted as brilliantly, and sang as well as we have heard her of late years. Mr. Durward Lely — who was the first Jose in England if we mistake not — sang superbly. We hare heard many a Jose, but not another better than Mr Lely’s. Dramatically he surprised us by his abandon and tragic delineation, vocally his fine voice seemed all the fuller and more ringing in so congenial a part. Mr. F. H. Celli is a brilliant “Escamillo.” He acted splendidly and sang the Toreador’s song with particular power. One of the most brilliant operatic representations ever given in Blackburn was to be found in the performance on the following night of Gounod’s majestically beautiful opera “Faust” by the Carl Rosa Company. Faust is certainly the most lovely work in modern operatic composition. Based upon Goethe’s immortal poem, Charles Gounod has set upon the theme the whole force of his musicianly genius. Dramatically the Faustus Legend affords the most striking of subjects, and when suited to musical interpretation on the stage it combines a weird super-naturalism with boundless pathos and with sentiment of the most moving kind. In fact, Faust is a tragedy rather than a mere opera. It was a pity that the hundreds who heard the recital of the work some few weeks ago by the Blackburn Philharmonic Society did not feel impelled to see the opera in its histrionic garb. For it gains immeasurably by the quaint costumes of Nuremberg; by the thorough dramatic realization of the respective roles on the part of the vocalists: by the movement and the colour, the stage setting and the range of gesture which are only possible on the stage, and in comparison with which the concert platform seems bald and unconvincing. Miss Amy Sherwin made a charming ‘Marguerite.’ Her pure upper notes were used to great advantage and when experience enables her to overcome a tendency to sing a trifle sharp, she will occupy a very high position in her art. Mr. John Child’s ‘Faust’ was superb vocally. His voice seems much clearer and mellower than some years ago, and as an actor he has greatly advanced. One of the most adequate interpretations was the ” Mephistopheles of Mr. Bowman Ralston. It was in the traditional red guise, of course, but the sardonic grimness and demonic fire which Mr. Ralston prodigally threw into the part made it a gruesome figure Indeed. Particularly fine was his singing of the mocking serenade in the third act. Mr. Max Eugene’s ‘Valentine’ was another brilliant effort, and Miss Lily Moody forced us to the conclusion that she has a future before her. On Wednesday night and last night Carmen was successfully repeated and on Thursday Balfe’s perennially attractive Bohemian Girl delighted once again by its tuneful melodies. Miss Sherwin sang Arline’s part charmingly, and Mr. John Child’s ‘Thaddeus’ is well-known. To-night, Thomas’s pathetic opera ‘Mignon’ will be performed with Madame Marie Roze in the title role.” [Blackburn Standard, 16th May 1891] | |
| “THEATRE ROYAL – The Carl Rosa Carmen company commenced a six nights’ engagement here on Monday. The initial performance was Bizet’s charming opera Carmen, in which Madame Marie Roze (who is giving her farewell performances) took the title-role. Her rendering of the part was as bright and fresh as ever, and she received enthusiastic applause. Mr Durward Lely’s Jose was a brilliant performance, displaying great histrionic and vocal ability. Mr F. H. Celli made a splendid Escamillo, and Mr Bowman Ralston as Zuniga was all that could be desired. Miss Lizzie Burgess’s charming performance of Michaela was much appreciated. Mercedes and Frasquita were pleasingly sustained by Miss Lily Moody and Miss Minnie Hunt. Mr P. Hayes was successful as Dancairo, and Mr Charles Fisher made a capital Remendado. A magnificent performance of Faust was given an Tuesday. Miss Amy Sherwin as Marguerita received a hearty welcome, creating quite a sensation by her remarkably clever singing and acting. Mr John Child as Faust was in good voice, and rendered his part in faultless style. Mr Bowman Ralston gave an excellent interpretation of Mephistopheles. Valentine had a good representative in Mr Max Eugene. Miss Lily Moody made a desirable Siebel, and Mr W. Franklin was successful as Wagner. Carmen was repeated on Wednesday and Friday, The Bohemian Girl was presented on Thursday, and the terminating performance will be given to-night (Saturday) in Mignon, with Madame Marie Roze in the nom-role. The operas have been excellently staged, and very efficient service has been rendered by a large band, under the baton of Mr Walter Van Noorden.” [The Era, Saturday 16 May 1891, Page 19] |
“The Marie Roze “Carmen” tour, given in co-operation with the Carl Rosa Company, will come to an end to-night at Blackpool, Madame Roze, however, taken part in an extra concert with a programme of sacred music, which is announced for to-morrow. During the tour which thus ends, the prima donna has sung the part of Carmen no fewer than fifty times, besides Mignon on four and Leonora (in “Il Trovatore”) on eleven evenings. A fresh tour will probably begin in, August, when Masse’s “Galatea” and Massart’s “Les Dragons de Villars” will probably be added to the repertory. For their regular operatic tour, which will also begin in August in Ireland, the Carl Rosa Company have renewed the engagements of Madame Burns, Messrs. Runcio, Dimitresco, John Child, Crotty, and other artists.” [London Daily News, Saturday 23 May 1891, Page 5]
“The Carl Rosa No. 2 Company. which is headed by Madame Marie Roze, closed their successful tour at Blackpool last night. During the winter Madame Marie Rose has sung as Carmen in various provincial towns no fewer than fifty times.” [Glasgow Herald, Monday 25 May 1891, Page 9]
“The tour of the Carl Rosa Carmen company, which has lasted for sixteen weeks, ends on Saturday at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool. During the tour seasons have been given in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Bradford, Hull, Huddersfield, Leicester, Newcastle-on- Tyne, Bristol, Cardiff, and other towns, and the operas performed have included Bizet’s Carmen, Balfe’s Bohemian Girl, Gounod’s Faust, Verdi’s Trovatore, and Ambroise Thomas’s Mignon.” [The Era, Saturday 30 May 1891, Page 8]
“HER MAJESTY’S OPERA HOUSE – Manager: Mr W. Holland – The Carl Rosa Carmen opera Company have had another most successful week here, notwithstanding the absence during the last, few days of Madame Marie Roze. Mignon, Bohemian Girl, Faust, and Carmen have been given before large and fashionable audiences.” [The Era, Saturday 30 May 1891, Page 16]
“PRESENTATIONS – On the fall of the curtain on Friday night last at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Blackpool, Mr H. Brooklyn, the stage-manager of the Carl Rosa Carmen company, was presented with a handsome gold watch, and Mr Tom Pitt, the acting-manager, with a large silver cigarette-box, both subscribed for by the principals of the company, and handed to them, with a few graceful words, by Madame Marie Roze.” [The Era, Saturday 30 May 1891, Page 10]
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