THE D'OYLY CARTE OPERA COMPANY

Jeanette Roach in Iolanthe

Jeanette Roach (1958-61, 1962-63)

Jeanette Roach joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company chorus in June 1958. In November 1959 she succeeded Alice Hynd as Inez in The Gondoliers and understudy to principal contralto Gillian Knight. Over the next season-and-a-half she appeared from time to time for Miss Knight as Dame Carruthers in The Yeomen of the Guard and the Duchess of Plaza-Toro in The Gondoliers. While with the Company she married the Company's assistant manager Michael Freshwater. Miss Roach may be heard as Inez on the Company's 1961 recording of The Gondoliers.

In July 1961 she took eight months maternity leave, rejoining the chorus in March 1962. She appeared on occasion as Inez during the last few months of the season, then reclaimed the part and her understudy duties on a regular basis in August 1962. During the succeeding fourteen months she made substitute appearances as Little Buttercup in H.M.S. Pinafore, Ruth in The Pirates of Penzance, the Queen of the Fairies in Iolanthe, Katisha in The Mikado, Dame Carruthers, and the Duchess. She left the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in October 1963.

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