D’Oyly Carte Foundation Celebrates 150 Years of Gilbert & Sullivan Opera
For Immediate Release
D’Oyly Carte Island, Weybridge, Surrey, England March 25, 2025 —The D’Oyly Carte Opera Trust and the D’Oyly Carte Foundation hosted a 150th anniversary celebration for D’Oyly Carte Opera at Eyot House, the historic residence built by Richard D’Oyly Carte in 1890. The event commemorated the premiere of Trial by Jury in 1875, marking the beginning of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and its enduring legacy of performing the works of Gilbert & Sullivan worldwide.
Held at the invitation of Eyot House owners Andy and Sheila Hill, the reception welcomed 70 distinguished guests, including representatives from Scottish Opera, the British Library, the House of Commons, the Gilbert & Sullivan Society, and former members of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company.
Michael Tripp, Chair of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Trust, opened the event with remarks recognizing the Company’s history and ongoing contributions to opera and musical education. Ian Martin, General Manager, delivered a letter of congratulations from Lord Glendonbrook of the Michael Bishop Trust, whose sponsorship has supported the Company’s work for over three decades.
A special video greeting was shared from Cynthia Morey, President of the Gilbert & Sullivan Society and a former D’Oyly Carte performer. Ms. Morey, who joined the Company in 1951 and performed during the Centenary celebrations at the Savoy Theatre in 1975, reflected on memorable moments, including performances conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent and attended by Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Musical highlights from the Gilbert & Sullivan repertoire featured soprano Ellie Laugharne and baritones John Savournin and Richard Suart, accompanied by pianist Bryan Evans. Mr. Suart performed the Judge’s Song from Trial by Jury and an updated version of Ko-Ko’s Little List, incorporating contemporary references to modern political figures.
Andrew Wimble, Chair of the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, proposed a toast to the D’Oyly Carte Opera Trust and acknowledged the contributions of the Foundation’s key supporters, including the D’Oyly Carte Foundation (USA) and the Michael Bishop Trust.
Michael Tripp expressed appreciation for the continued partnership with Scottish Opera and Opera Holland Park. He also announced the Company’s upcoming production of Trial by Jury, directed by John Savournin, which will open in Glasgow this April alongside the world premiere of A Matter of Misconduct and a new production of Lehar’s The Merry Widow.
The evening concluded with a toast to the future of D’Oyly Carte Opera: “May its work continue to bring joy and peace to all it touches.”
ABOUT THE D’OYLY CARTE FOUNDATION
The D'Oyly Carte Foundation is the American affiliate of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Trust Limited, which supports the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. Since 1875, the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company has professionally produced the 14 Savoy operas of Sir W. S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan in the UK, Europe, US, Canada, and Australia, spreading mirth and merriment to millions.
The D’Oyly Carte Foundation’s mission is to support and promote the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company’s UK and international touring, to support regional performance companies, schools, colleges, and universities dedicated to the staging of Gilbert & Sullivan operas, and to generally encourage the popular appreciation of the works of Gilbert & Sullivan.
ABOUT THE 2025 D’OYLY CARTE OPERA SEASON
In 2025, the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company joins forces with Scottish Opera and Opera Holland Park to mark a momentous milestone in theatre history: the 150th anniversary of Trial by Jury. Originally staged in 1875, Trial by Jury was the first collaboration between dramatist W. S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan, brought together by impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte. The one-act comic opera, a sharp satire on the English legal system, premiered at London’s Royalty Theatre on March 25, 1875, and was an instant success, laying the foundation for one of the most celebrated partnerships in musical theatre history.
To commemorate this historic anniversary, a brand-new production of Trial by Jury will debut in Glasgow in May before traveling to Edinburgh and London. Directed by John Savournin, the production stars Richard Suart, a master of the Gilbert & Sullivan patter roles, as the Learned Judge, alongside a dynamic cast of emerging operatic talent.
Adding to the celebration, Scottish Opera and D’Oyly Carte have commissioned a brand-new satirical opera, A Matter of Misconduct. Written by Emma Jenkins and Toby Hession, this contemporary work is set in the Press Room at No. 9 Downing Street, offering a witty and incisive look at modern political maneuvering and legal loopholes.
Completing this exceptional season is a new production of Franz Lehár’s beloved operetta The Merry Widow, set in Manhattan during the 1950’s and featuring a fresh English translation by John Savournin and David Eaton.
Performance details and ticket information can be found at: Scottish Opera:
https://www.scottishopera.org.uk/shows/trial-by-jury-a-matter-of-misconduct/
Opera Holland Park: https://operahollandpark.com/
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D’OYLY CARTE ISLAND
D'Oyly Carte Island, a unique two-acre private island on the River Thames in Weybridge, Surrey, is a historically significant and picturesque location. Originally known as Folly Eyot, the island was purchased by Richard D'Oyly Carte in 1890, a renowned hotelier and London theatre impresario famous for producing all fourteen of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas.
At the heart of D'Oyly Carte Island is Eyot House, a grand residence which features 13 bedrooms, a grand ballroom, and five bathrooms. This mansion was used to host Richard and Helen D’Oyly Carte ’s celebrated friends from the world of theatre, arts, journalism, politics, industry, finance, and the aristocracy. The property has been restored to its former glory, ensuring that its historic charm is preserved for future generations.
The island offers a unique blend of seclusion and accessibility. A private footbridge connects the island to the mainland, providing convenient access for visitors while maintaining a sense of exclusivity. Additionally, secure automobile parking is available on the mainland. The island is well-connected to major transport routes, with Heathrow Airport only 18 minutes away and central London easily accessible via train from Walton Station.
Music and entertainment remain central to the island’s identity. D'Oyly Carte Island hosts a variety of cultural events, including theatrical and musical performances in the grand ballroom. The island also features 'D’Oyly’s,' a café and bar offering a selection of food and beverages, making it a popular spot for visitors.
In addition to its musical and cultural significance, D'Oyly Carte Island is a sought-after destination for boating enthusiasts. The island features 13 purpose-built moorings, each equipped with electricity and water supply, allowing visitors to enjoy a tranquil retreat on the River Thames.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND DIRECTIONS, PLEASE SEE:
HTTPS://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/D%27OYLY_CARTE_ISLAND
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HTTPS://MAPS.APP.GOO.GL/SXQHU5KYC3WQTAFV8
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American Industrial Acquisition Corporation (AIAC) is a diversified industrial group with manufacturing and distribution sites in 24 countries in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia-New Zealand. AIAC has acquired and grown non-core subsidiaries and divisions of Boeing, Siemens, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Johnson Controls, Merck, Pfizer, Astellas, Visteon, Carlyle, Ahlstrom, Tolko, Groupe Suez, Groupe Rexel, and many other leading multinational corporations.
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AAIAC and their affiliates support a wide range of nonprofit, nonsectarian, bipartisan organizations which promote international conflict resolution, disaster relief, economic development, environmental sustainability, exploration, and the visual and performing arts.
AIAC Chairman L. M. Levie serves as Chairman of the D’Oyly Carte Foundation and Member of the Board of Trustees and Poet Laureate of the Explorers Club.
AIAC actively supports the following arts and cultural institutions: the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, La Societe des Amis de Versailles, the Louvre Museum, the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Morgan Library & Museum, the the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, the Frick Collection, the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., the National Gallery of Ireland, the Fred Jones Jr. Art Museum of the University of Oklahoma, Societa Venezia Per Sempre of Save Venice, the Venice International Foundation the World Monuments Fund, the Baryshnikov Arts Center, the D’Oyly Carte Foundation, the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival, the W. S. Gilbert Society, the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society, and the Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Hall, the Encore Society the Metropolitan Opera of New York, and l’Opera National de Paris, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Royal Academy of Music.
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