Opera Scotland

Gladys Leathwood Suggest updates

Soprano.

Gladys Leathwood clearly had a high and light soprano of some quality, and maintained a successful career with several British touring companies between the wars.

The largest and most prestigious of these organisations was BNOC, operating from 1922 to 1928. From 1923 to 1927 we have evidence of her singing short solo parts - perhaps the most prominent being Lola Cavalleria Rusticana.  It is probable that during these years she will have been a member of BNOC's chorus.  Indeed she may well have been in the company from the beginning to its end.

The second period for which we have a note of her, 1936, shows her as a member of the Universal company. Though this was a much smaller concern than BNOC, it is clear that she was still taking on some prominent solo roles; if not actually as a principal. 

Again, it is likely that Leathwood worked in the chorus as well.

As a curiosity it may be noted that Hansel and Gretel was the first opera to be relayed live by radio from Covent Garden, and it is therefore quite possible that Leathwood took part in that performance.