From the Archives: Richard Carte

(Silchester, 23 February 1808 –1891)

Head and shoulders bust, looking left, with wavy hair and right-hand parting, on an integral socle.  Sculpted by Ambrose Lewis Vago (1839-1896); ca 1875. Signed on the back “A.L. VAGO Sc. LONDON”; 60 x 33 x 27cm. Presented to the Society by Dame Bridget D'Oyly Carte (reported 5 July 1981).

Richard Carte was a flute player, flute maker and composer/arranger.  In 1852 the firm of ‘Rudall & Rose’ (founded in 1821 by George Rudall and John Rose) became ‘Rudall, Rose & Carte’ soon after Carte joined the business. Richard Carte was the father of several children including the impresario and composer Richard D'Oyly Carte (1844-1901). Carte junior commissioned Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury, first performed on 25 March 1875 at the Royalty Theatre.

This bust was sculpted by Ambrose Lewis Vago in around 1875 and presented to the Society by Dame Bridget D'Oyly Carte in 1981.

Further reading:

H. Llewelyn Howell, A Notable Musician - Richard Carte, in The Montgomeryshire Collections 1908, vol.35.