May 3 - Richard D'Oyly Carte (The Musical Birthday Series)

Richard D'Oyly Carte (3 May 1844 – 3 April 1901) was an English talent agent, theatrical impresario, and hotelier.  He is responsible for launching and nurturing the success of the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.

Pentameters for an Impresario

 

O sing the praise of Richard D’Oyly Carte,

Who gave the team of G and S their start!

The three beguiled the world with lively shows

In alternating bits of song and prose;

While G. supplied the words, and S. the score,

R. D’O. C. provided the decor.

He built a stage and dubbed it the Savoy

And kept the three in lucrative employ.

And year by year their bank accounts grew fatter

From sentiment and parody and patter.