ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø

Born in Greek Street, in the district of Soho in London, in May of 1844, Richard D’Oyly Carte was the son of Richard Carte and Eliza Jones. As the eldest of six children, Carte spent only a few years in Soho, as the family moved to Dartmouth Park, in the north of London. He studied at University College School in Camden, before beginning work at his father’s company, Rudall, Carte & Co.

He married his first wife, Blanche Julia Prowse, in 1853. The two had grown up together, often taking part in the same amateur theatre productions. His son Lucas was born in 1872, followed by Rupert in 1876. Sadly, Blanche died of pneumonia while her boys were still young, in 1885. In 1888 Carte married Helen Lenoir, the assistant he had hired to help run his opera company. After Carte’s death in 1901, Helen took over as director of the company.

Key Dates & Events

• 1853 - Carte marries his first wife, Blanche Julia Prowse.
• 1875 - Carte engages Gilbert and Sullivan to produce Trial By Jury.
• 1881 - Carte opens the Savoy Theatre, home to the D’Oyly Carte Opera company.
• 1888 - Carte marries his second wife, Helen Lenoir.
• 1891 - Carte opens The Royal English Opera House.
• 1982 - The D’Oyly Carte opera company closes due to financial constraints.
• 1988 - The D’Oyly Carte opera company is resurrected by Richard Condon.