THE D'OYLY CARTE OPERA COMPANY

O. J. Rowlands (1890-91)

[Born Tal-y Bont, Conway, Wales 1854, died Tuebrook, Anfield, Liverpool 14 Nov 1920]

Born Owen Jones Williams, O. J. Rowlands earned his reputation singing in concerts in his native Wales, as well as in Liverpool, where he also performed with the local Opera Society.

In February 1890, Rowlands was engaged by D'Oyly Carte as one of the replacements rushed to New York for the restaging of The Gondoliers at Palmer's Theatre, taking the role of Antonio. He continued to appear as Antonio when the Company returned to the British Isles as Carte's "D" Company (May-July 1890), and remained with "D" Company for at least a portion of 1891.

Upon leaving the Company he continued to perform in London and on tour under the name of Hugh Gwynne. In 1897 he joined a musical comedy troupe, as leading bass-baritone, in a tour of South Africa, where he appears to have remained for some time. He eventually returned to Great Britain after his stage career ended.

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