THE D'OYLY CARTE OPERA COMPANY

T. Aynsley Cook

T. Aynsley Cook (1879)

[Born London 1832 or July 1836, died Liverpool 16 Feb 1894]

English Basso Thomas Aynsley Cook made his debut in Manchester in 1856 with the English National Opera Company.Noteworthy among his early appearances was his creation of the role of San Jose in the original production of Burnand & Sullivan's The Contrabandista at St. George's Opera House, December 1867-March 1868.

After a period with the Pyne & Harrison Opera Company, he joined up with Carl Rosa touring America with Rosa and his wife Madame Parepa-Rosa in 1872.His career in opera-bouffe included celebrated performances in Zampa, Fra Diavolo, The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, The Bohemian Girl, and The Beggar Student. He remained with the Carl Rosa Company for the rest of his career, with occasional breaks when other opportunities arose.

One such opportunity occurred in September and October 1879 when he was called upon to play Dick Deadeye in H.M.S. Pinafore with Mr. D'Oyly Carte's "2^nd London" Company in Shoreditch and Camden Town.It was his only D'Oyly Carte engagement.

Thomas Aynsley Cook was the brother of Furneaux Cook and Alice Aynsley Cook, both of whom had far greater involvement with D'Oyly Carte.

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