Ruth Vincent

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as Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore, 1898
as Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore, 1898

Ruth Vincent (March 22, 1877 – July 4, 1955) was an English opera singer and actress, best known for her performances in soprano roles of the Savoy Operas with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company.

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[edit] Early life and D'Oyly Carte years

Vincent was born in Grand Yarmouth, Norfolk. Her father was Henry Vincent Bunn, and she married Lieutenant Colonel John Fraser of the Royal Horse Guards.

Vincent in 1897
Vincent in 1897

Vincent joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in the chorus of The Chieftain at the Savoy Theatre in 1894. In 1895, she toured the British provinces in the chorus. In 1896, she created the small part of Gretchen in The Grand Duke and also occasionally played the larger role of Lisa. She sang in the chorus during the subsequent revival of The Mikado and then created the small role of Dorothea in His Majesty (by F. C. Burnand and Alexander MacKenzie) in 1897. She sang the role of Kate in the first revival of The Yeomen of the Guard beginning in 1897, filling in briefly in the leading role of Elsie in July of that year, then taking over the part of Elsie in August when Ilka Palmay left the company.

Vincent next appeared in leading roles, including Iza in The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein (1897-98) and Casilda in The Gondoliers (1898), created the role of Laine in The Beauty Stone (1898), played Aline in The Sorcerer (1898), created the part of Princess Laoula in The Lucky Star (early 1899), and sang Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore (later in 1899). When she was passed over for the leading soprano part of Sultana Zubedyah in The Rose of Persia, Vincent rejected the part that she was offered ("Scent-of-Lilies") and left the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in November 1899. As it turned out, Ellen Beach Yaw, the American soprano cast as the Sultana, was dismissed after only two weeks in the role, and the opportunity to replace her went to young Isabel Jay instead of Vincent.

Vincent's younger sister, Madge Vincent, was a D'Oyly Carte chorister from 1898 to 1900 and also had a subsequent musical theatre career.

[edit] West End career and later years

as Sophia in Tom Jones
as Sophia in Tom Jones

Vincent did eventually get a chance to play the Sultana in New York in a Charles Frohman production at Daly's Theatre (co-starring John Le Hay). Vincent then appeared in London in musical theatre roles, including as Merva Sunningdale in The Medal and the Maid in 1903 (and in New York in 1904). She played leading West End roles in Veronique in 1904-05 (and in New York 1905-06), A Girl on the Stage in 1906, Trial by Jury (as the Plaintiff in the Ellen Terry Jubilee celebration on June 12, 1906, Amours in 1906-07, Tom Jones (1907), The Belle of Brittany in 1909, and A Persian Princess in 1909.

Vincent next sang with the Beecham Opera Company and then made her debut in grand opera at Covent Garden in 1910, singing in such operas as Hänsel und Gretel, and Carmen (as Michaela), and creating the role of Vrenchen in Delius's opera, A Village Romeo and Juliet. She performed a concert tour of the provinces in 1911 and sang in her first oratorio in 1912, appearing at the 1912 Hereford and 1913 Gloucester Festivals. In her later years, she appeared mostly at the Palladium, Coliseum Theatre, and other variety houses. She was also an Associate of the Philharmonic Society.

Ruth Vincent died in London at the age of 78.

[edit] Recordings

Vincent made a number of recordings of songs for HMV and Columbia between 1904 and 1920 including "The Waltz Song" from Edward German's Tom Jones. Her voice can be heard on the CD The Art of the Savoyard (Pearl GEMM CD 9991).

[edit] References

[edit] External links