| Biography | Arthur Winckworth's long career was devoted almost entirely to the Carl Rosa Opera Company. He was, for many years, a leading interpreter of most of the bass roles in the company's repertoire. He later turned to administration, helping to keep the company afloat through the difficult war years.
Winckworth began his operatic career with the Arthur Rousbey company. Rousbey was a bass-baritone who had sung initially with D'Oyly Carte, before setting up his own business. As both leading baritone and later a conductor, Rousbey toured Britain successfully for a few years, employing several promising artists including a young Henry Wood.
The Carl Rosa management saw Winckworth when both groups were appearing in Glasgow, and lured him away to the larger company. Winckworth worked as principal bass with the Carl Rosa for the next twenty-five years, retiring from the stage in 1921. For most of that time he also took an active part as one of the directors, taking on this demanding role after the company's collapse at the turn of the century.
His wife was Marie Titiens, herself a successful soprano, and a niece of the great Therese Tietjens. They had one son. |