t h e r o s a t r o u p e
Ida Cowey
Ida Cowey
was born at Sunderland on 7 August 1902. Her
vocal gifts were quickly recognised and the Shields Daily News of 22
September 1914 described her as a ‘Wonderful juvenile soprano.’ She had vocal
ambitions, became a pupil of George Dodds of Newcastle, with perhaps some
additional training in London, and by the 1920s was well known throughout the
north of England in concert, oratorio, and appearances with the Newcastle
Amateur Operatic Society. She was also a pioneer broadcaster offering opera from
local radio stations in the early days of the BBC. A successful audition with
the Carl Rosa followed in the summer of 1925 and she was engaged as a member of
the chorus who would understudy and progress to more important roles.
The tour began in late August 1925 in London and ended at Nottingham in May of
the following year. Cast details are lacking but after a period in the chorus
Ida seems to have appeared in at least twelve performances as Musetta in La
Bohème and Nedda in Pagliacci. The Edinburgh Scotsman of
20 February 1926 noted that ‘A newcomer, Miss Ida Cowey, made a delightful
Musetta. Her light soprano voice is of charming quality, and there was an amount
of character in her rendering, and an artistic intelligence, which gives great
promise for her future.’ Four days later the reviewer was equally pleased with
her Pagliacci performance commenting that she had the ‘makings of a
fine operatic artist.’ The coloured photographs, depicting her as Lady Rose in
The Emerald Isle and Phyllis in Iolanthe, suggest that she would have
been an attractive Musetta and Nedda. However the operatic career never
materialised as marriage and family obligations came first.
A decade later she joined The Gaiety Revels, a seaside concert party on the
south coast, who were absorbed into ENSA (Entertainment Network Services
Association) at the beginning of the war. Ida ended her career singing to the
troops and was even presented to the Queen. She subsequently taught music and
singing, lived on Orkney for a time, and died at Windygates, Fife, in 1956.
The Rosa Trust would like to thank the children of Ida Cowey for the use of the
photographs and their help in the preparation of this note. Famous artists sang
with the company but there are others who are simply names on old programmes.
Ida Cowey was one of these but now with a contribution from her family she is
more than a name. All Rosa personnel were part of the company history and input
from their friends and family is always welcome – please contact
John Ward.
© 2020 John Ward