Utopia Limited ~ world première 7th Oct 1893:

            In this 1893 photo [cabinet card] of three of the world premiere cast, from left to right =

Rosina Brandram [1846 – 1907] as Lady Sophy [the princesses’ English governess] 

Emmie Owen [1871 – 1905] as Princess Nekaya

Florence Perry [1869 – 1949] as Princess Kalyba

This is a ‘Woodburytype’ print – a process that gives exceptionally fine detail and is not prone to fading as normal photograph prints of the era are. 

The Gilbert and Sullivan opera Utopia Limited, or The Flowers of Progress opened at the Savoy Theatre on 7th Oct 1893 and a series of photographs were made by Alfred Ellis of 20, Upper Baker St, London, N.W.

The photographer Alfred Ellis was born in 1854 and died 1930.  

He was a member of the Photographic Society - later The Royal Photographic Society -from November 1883 and was one of original members of the Professional Photographers' Association.

He specialised in theatrical photography; arranged for actual scenes from plays to be photographed at his studio and later photographed stage performances at theatres themselves. 

He took a leading interest in photographers' copyright, fighting several actions in High Courts and was one of founders of Copyright Union.

I personally think that for a 'posed' photograph it is truly amazing - 'still' but so full of life. 

==

Rosina Brandram –

Rosina Brandram [real surname was Moult] joined the D'Oyly Carte organization in 1877 and had the distinction of creating every Gilbert and Sullivan leading contralto role at the Savoy.

Amongst the numerous roles she created were, for Gilbert and Sullivan -

31st Dec 1879 [Fifth Avenue Theatre New York] she created the role of Kate in The Pirates of Penzance. # Although Marian May had sung the part literally hours earlier in the single copyright performance at the Royal Bijou Theatre in Paignton, Devon, England on 30th December 1879. 

5th Jan 1884 [Savoy Theatre London] she created the part of Lady Blanche in Princess Ida.

14th March 1885 [Savoy Theatre London] she created Katisha in The Mikado.

21st Jan 1887 [Savoy Theatre London] she created Dame Hannah in Ruddigore.

3rd Oct 1888 [Savoy Theatre London] she created Dame Carruthers in The Yeoman of the Guard. 

7th Dec 1889 [Savoy Theatre London] she created the Duchess of Plaza-Toro in The Gondoliers.

7th Oct 1893 [Savoy Theatre London] she created Lady Sophy in Utopia Limited.

7th March 1896 [Savoy Theatre London] she created Baroness von Krakenfeldt in The Grand Duke.

Emmie Owen –

Amongst the numerous roles she created were, for Gilbert and Sullivan -

7th Oct 1893 [Savoy Theatre London] she created Princess Nekaya in Utopia Limited.

7th March 1896 [Savoy Theatre London] she created the Princess of Monte Carlo in The Grand Duke.

Florence Perry –

Amongst the numerous roles she created were, for Gilbert and Sullivan -

7th Oct 1893 [Savoy Theatre London] she created Princess Kalyba in Utopia Limited.

7th March 1896 [Savoy Theatre London] she created Lisa in The Grand Duke.

# The ‘Woodburytype’ print is a process that gives exceptionally fine detail and is not prone to fading as normal photograph prints of the era are. It was invented by Walter Bentley Woodbury who was born in Manchester, England on 26th June 1834 and died in Margate, England on 5th September 1885.  

The 'Woodburytype' photomechanical reproduction process was patented in 1864.

Put very simply, the Woodburytype process is to expose a glass sheet covered with a mixture of light sensitized gelatine mixed with a carbon pigment through the negative.

This results in a film of gelatine thickest in the darkest areas of the picture and this is used to create a lead mould by using great pressure.

The mould is then used to create the 'Woodburytype' which could be of any colour but is usually brown.

Given the expertise required and the fact that the process could not be automated, it was very expensive. 

Woodburytypes were used extensively for inserts in books etc, being mounted an paper/card.

Taken in: United Kingdom / England / London / Strand (show map)

Taken on: October 1, 1893

Tags:

Rosina Brandram

Emmie Owen

Utopia Limited

Gilbert and Sullivan

Vintage photo

Brandram

Perry

Owen

Gilbert

Sullivan

Utopia

Opera

Music

Woodbury

1893

1846

1907

1871

1905

1869

1949

Nekaya

Kalyba

Sophy

Carte

D'Oyly Carte

Savoy

Savoy operas

Photographs rights

Photographic Society

Royal Photographic Society

Professional Photographers' Association

Theatrical photography

Photographers' copyright

Cabinet card

Yahoo

flickr

google

Voice

Vocal

όπερα

Oper

オペラ

أوبرا

歌剧

오페라

אָפּערע

אָפּערעόπερα

watch

British Empire

British

Empire

«ancienne

photographie»

CDV

alte Fotografie

αρχαία φωτογραφία

antica fotografia

古代の写真CDV

الأوبرا

אופרה

Ooppera

戏曲 « less

Sets appears in: • Ancient photographs • OPERA more » • Gilbert and Sullivan: « less

Groups appears in: • Old Photos • FlickrSocial (two or more people in the photo) more » • Found Photographs • Nostalgia • Historic and Old Photos • 100 years old • Classical Music • Sepia Lovers • Old Pictures • The Museum of Found Photographs • Old Photographs • Cabinet Cards • Classical Music Photos • Vintage Victorian • I LOVE SEPIA PEOPLE • Cabinet Portraits, CDV, photos on cardboard • Gilbert and Sullivan • Antique Photographs • Scanned Nostalgia • Opera and Classical Music • Antique Photos • The Portrait Group • Times Gone By • Found Photos • Pre-1930 Photos • minimum 5000 views • Ladies in dresses • Vintage Portraiture • Music Directory • Victorian and Edwardian Theatre • "Old Pictures & Post Cards" • Vintage Scans • Flickriver • This Is England • The Nineteenth Century • costume heaven • Of a Bygone Age. (Retro Stuff) • Vintage photography • 100 years old postcards, etc. • Antiguas • Victorian Remnants • **Collections for Collectors (CFC) No Limits** • Photo Trouvée • Original Film Stills and Publicity shots • Victorian Photographic Portraits of People • OLD PHOTOS • Vintage Photographs (pre-1945) [Directory] • Best Cabinet Card Photographs Uncommon - Rare and Beautiful • Vintage Orphaned Photographs • Geotagged : Vintage photographs (1945 or earlier) • we're the people • Vintage pics • The Victorian Age. • HISTORIC IMAGES • PLANET EARTH BACK IN THE DAY • Unique Vintage Black & White Photos • Dated Vintage Photographs (pre 1945) • Early Photography in the British Empire • Victoriana and Edwardiana • Photos and Other Images, 1890s • 100 Views Unlimited • 6,000 Views Unlimited 6000 • 10.000 / 10000 views at least (NO LIMITS, NO 30/60) • Allure & Beauty of Vintage Women and Girls • One rule : WOMEN • Private and historical pictures before 1914 « less

Stats: 26,356 views / 10 comments

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: