The Story of
Richard D'Oyly Carte

Richard D'Oyly Carte was born in Greek Street, Soho, London, in 1844, the son of the most popular solo flautist of his day, who had fought at Waterloo, and was partner in a London firm of musical instrument makers.

After taking a B.A. degree at London University College, he joined his father in business and dabbled first in acting and then in composing operettas, before concentrating on theatrical management as a career. His one great ambition was to found a British light opera school, and as manager of the Royalty Theatre, Soho, he saw his opportunity to introduce a British note as a programme-filler with Offenbach's La Perichole, when he was approached by Gilbert with a libretto called Trial by Jury. Carte suggested that Sullivan should be asked to compose the music, and the result was a great popular success, and the foundation of the world's greatest entertainment partnership.

Convinced that in Gilbert and Sullivan he had found the ideal combination of talent to lift the British theatre out of its rut of bad taste and mediocrity, Carte then formed the Comedy Opera Company and leased the Opera Comique, where The Sorcerer was produced in 1877. He then entered into a long-term contract with the operatic team, giving them a free hand in words and music, production and orchestration.

In 1879, after H.M.S. Pinafore had further established the revolutionary success of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, Carte, accompanied by Gilbert and Sullivan, took the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company to America.

On his return to England, Carte built the Savoy Theatre — where he introduced electricity to the stage and auditorium for the first time in British theatrical history. Iolanthe was the first opera to have its gala opening night at the magnificently decorated new theatre, attended by the cream of London society, and other Gilbert and Sullivan enthusiasts from every walk of life.
In 1888 Carte married Helen 'Lenoir.' This remarkable Scotswoman came to him in 1877 as translator and secretary, and remained to become his business right-hand, particularly in the organisation of American opera and lecture tours.

Leaving his wife, Helen, to carry on the fine tradition of British light opera which he had founded, Richard D'Oyly Carte died early in 1901, a few months after his great friend, Arthur Sullivan.

In final analysis, he was the presiding genius, whose energy, sagacity, knowledge, and taste welded Gilbert's mordant wit and Sullivan's sparkling melodies into an entertainment attraction of timeless quality.

Page modified 17 April 2009