Savoyards

Savoyards

Savoyards. Operetta company founded in Toronto in 1919 by George Stewart and his son Reginald. Its financial support came from the Canadian Operatic Society, founded in 1920 for the express purpose of providing such assistance. The Savoyards made their debut in Gilbert & Sullivan's The Gondoliers at the Princess Theatre during the week of 3 May 1920. George Stewart staged the production and Reginald conducted the orchestra. Ruth Cross starred as Tessa, Kenneth Angus played Giuseppe, Elwood Genoa was the Duke of Plaza-Toro, and A.J. Rostance was Don Alhambra. Cross also had a leading role in The Pirates of Penzance, the Savoyards' second production.

In addition to Gilbert & Sullivan, the company occasionally performed the light operas of Edward German and Robert Planquette. It staged two productions a year, some of them at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Owing to Reginald Stewart's increasing commitments as a concert pianist and conductor, the Savoyards dissolved after approximately eight seasons.