Olive Gilbert
Olive Sarah Gilbert was a prominent British singer and actress whose career spanned seven decades, showcasing her talents in both opera and musical theatre. Initially performing as a contralto and mezzo-soprano, she gained recognition with the Carl Rosa Opera Company, where she captivated audiences for over ten years following the First World War. Her transition to musical theatre began in 1935 with Ivor Novello's 'Glamorous Night,' marking the start of a fruitful collaboration with the renowned composer and playwright. Gilbert's performances in Novello's works, including 'Careless Rapture,' 'Crest of the Wave,' and 'The Dancing Years,' solidified her status in London's West End, where she became a beloved figure in the musical landscape. In addition to her early successes, Gilbert continued to leave her mark on the stage with notable roles in productions such as 'Arc de Triomphe,' 'Perchance to Dream,' and 'King's Rhapsody.' Her versatility allowed her to transition seamlessly into iconic roles in later years, including Sister Margaretta in the beloved musical 'The Sound of Music' from 1961 to 1966, and the housekeeper in 'Man of La Mancha' in 1968. Even into the 1970s, Gilbert remained a vibrant presence in the performing arts, contributing to the rich tapestry of British musical theatre and leaving a lasting legacy as a talented performer who bridged the worlds of opera and musical theatre.
Famous Quotes
View all 9 quotes“The water nymphs who came to Poseidonexplained how little they desired to couplewith the gods. Except to find outwhether it was different, whether there wasa fresh world, another dimension in their loins.In the old Pittsburgh, we dreamed of a city where women read Proust in the original French, and wondered whether we would cross overinto a different joy if we paid a call girla thousand dollars for a night. Or an hour. Would it be different in kind or onlytricks and apparatus? I worried that a great love might make everything else an exile. It turned out that being together at twilight in the olive groves of Umbriadid, indeed, measure everything after that.””
“OLIVE WASN’T THE SORT OF PERSON WHO SEEMED TO FEEL THAT THE AIR NEEDED TO BE CONSTANTLY FILLED UP WITH WORDS””
“The thing that you don't understand about yourself, Vivian, is that you're not an interesting person. You are pretty, yes- but that's only because you are young. The prettiness will soon fade. But you will never be an interesting person. I'm telling you this, Vivian, because I beleive you've been laboring under the misconception that you are interesting, or that your life has significance. But you are not, and it doesn't. I once that you had the potential to become an interesting person, but I was incorrect. Your Aunt Peg is an interesting person. Olive Thompson is an interesting person. I am an interesting person. But you are not an interesting person. Do you understand me?””
