THE D'OYLY CARTE OPERA COMPANY

Sidney McAlpine

Sidney McAlpine (1897-1903)

[Born Marylebone 1882, died St. Anne's, Lancashire 8 Dec 1956]

Sidney McAlpine was born into the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. His real name was Sidney Graham Murray King. His father was D'Oyly Carte baritone James Sydney, his mother was Carte soprano (later contralto) Ethel McAlpine, and his godmother was Mrs. D'Oyly Carte.

He reportedly spent seven years in D'Oyly Carte touring companies, all in the chorus, beginning in December 1897 with D'Oyly Carte Opera Company "B." Most of his remaining assignments are unclear, however it is known that he was with D'Oyly Carte Opera Company "D" from September 1901 to May 1902 in The Emerald Isle.

In June 1906 Sidney McAlpine appeared in the crowd in court in Trial by Jury as part of the Ellen Terry Jubilee production at Drury Lane. He also appeared with the Beecham Opera Company (presumably in the chorus) and as an extra in the Drury Lane pantomime Aladdin (December 1909-January 1910).

After leaving the professional stage he served as coach and producer for the St. Anne's Operatic Society under his real name of Sidney King for some 30 years.

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