The Streatham Society
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Talks
  • Newsletters
  • Publications
  • Donations
  • Membership
  • Events
  • Guided Walks
  • Virtual Self Guided Walks
  • Photo Gallery
  • Research and Queries
  • Planning and Regeneration
  • Heritage and Conservation
  • WW1 Roll Of Honour
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Instagram posts
  • Archive News
  • Members' Page

Miss Ann Drummond-Grant of the D'Oyly Carte

11/9/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Miss Ann Drummond-Grant died On This Day 11 September 1959. With Miss Evelyn Gardiner she appeared at a Gilbert and Sullivan performance of Princess Ida at the Streatham Hill Theatre

An artist who had the unusual distinction of first singing soprano roles and then all the contralto roles in the D'Oyly Carte Company was Edinburgh-born Ann Drummond-Grant, who joined the D'Oyly Carte in 1933 .

She left the Company in 1938, and, after further training, returned in 1950 as a contralto, taking over all the leading roles from a long line of distinguished contraltos which included Ella Halman, Evelyn Gardiner, and Bertha Lewis.

She was a dignified and handsome woman, with a voice to match her presence. Her contralto had a warm, velvety, smooth, round quality, and her interpretation of Hearts do not break from "The Mikado" and Oh foolish fay from "Iolanthe" were two of her very best numbers. Sad is that woman's lot from "Patience" and There grew a little flower from "Ruddigore" were musical numbers well suited to her, and her portrayal of the Duchess of Plaza-Toro, performed by her as a large and dominating woman, full of barbs, innuendo, and acidity. Although she made her Duchess a human woman as well, and not a 'vinegar bottle' all the time; and as Fairy Queen in "Iolanthe" she ruled her fairies with a rod of iron, slightly touched with tenderness.'

She was married to the conductor of the D'Oyly Carte, Isidore Godfrey and on September 11th, 1959, the world of Gilbert and Sullivan was shocked and stunned to hear that she had died on that day. It was announced over the radio and on TV, and, although many of her fans knew she was ill, they were not prepared or ready for her untimely death.

Ann Drummond-Grant's first spell with the company was from 1933 to 1938 and the second from 1950 to 1959. She played the parts of Aline, Plaintiff, Josephine, Buttercup, Ruth (Pirates), Patience, Lady Jane, Ceilia, Phyllis, Fairy Queen, Lady Psyche, Princess Ida, Lady Blanche, Katisha, Zorah, Dame Hannah, Elsie Maynard, Dame Carruthers, Fiametta, Gianetta and Duchess of Plaza Toro.
​

(Gilbert and Sullivan WeBring and Image ©National Portrtait Gallery)
Picture
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Mark Bery, Secretary Streatham Society

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020

Next Meeting


Our next event is on 7th June 2022 a  talk on the Streatham Ice Rink, The Early Years (1931-1946) by Saki Hajnal which follows  the AGM is at 6:30pm 

​Newsletter 248 has been delivered to all members

We now accept 
membership from overseas provided we receive the subscription in sterling




​

Social media & email

Picture