The oldest of these cos. is the Carl Rosa Opera (formed 1873) and some of its singers broke away to form their own groups when in the 1890s the Carl Rosa got into financial difficulties. The James Turner Opera (1886, until Turner died in 1913) became prominent and the John Ridding Co. was small (1897-23) and splintered from one of these, events of this Co. around 1910 stick in my mind for some reason. Fanny Moody & Charles Manners Opera Co. operated from 1898-16) and were quite high powered in their presentation.
All of these groups toured extensively amongst around 8 others arond the 1890s (Turner’s brother starting up a company in Australia). I know nothing of the Elster-Grime Co. and had to look it up. It toured for seven years after 1900. I don’t remember which cities other than London or Birmingham these companies operated from. There should be wikipedia entries for some of these. Hope this helps.
James Turner played Count Rupert in Satanella so would have known all the melodious music of similar operas.
Ray
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