Elsie McDermid (1889-1933) - Operatic Singer
Early Life of Promise
Elsie Maybelle McDermid was born in Middlesbrough 19 July 1889, the first child of Colin and Martha McDermid.
Colin was a Land Surveyor & District Engineer who moved with his family from Middlesbrough to Jubilee Road, Eston when he obtained employment with Eston Council. In about 1904 the family moved to a newly built house on the High Street, Eston which they named "Greenbank" (which still stands on the High Street, Eston .)
Elsie Maybelle attended the County School Eston till January 23rd 1905 when she was enrolled in Middlesbrough High School. In the early 20th century when Elsie attended it was a fee paying school.
From an early age Elsie must have shown a singing talent so she was enrolled with a singing teacher - Mrs Clara Whatford in Middlesbrough. Middle class children in those days who had any kind of talent would have been given every encouragement - unlike working class children who would have started their working life at an early age or, in the case of girls, be expected to help in the home.
Local Performances
There are a number of newspaper reports dating from the first in
March 1906
of her singing at charity events - many connected to Eston Congregational Church, with which her family appear to have a strong link.
(See reports dated
Mar 1907
,
Jan 1910
,
Dec 1910
)
When the census was taken in 1911 she had seemingly decided on her future career as Colin (her father) had entered her as a “professional vocalist”
The last event found of her entertaining locally is at the
Middlesbrough Town Hall
on 27th February 1911.
Sometime after this she went to London where she studied under Nellie Rowe. Helen Lucy Rowe or Nellie Rowe as she was known professionally was an Australian, born c1861 who trained with the same teacher as Dame Nellie Melba. She didn't have the same success as her (Melba) but performed in quite a number of venues around Britain.
National Performances
Elsie's professional debut was at Covent Garden in 1914 where she had a minor role as a Flower Maiden in Parsifal. In December 1914 she joined the D'Oyley Carte Opera Company as a principal soprano. She toured all around Britain till 1917 taking leading roles with them. When the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company toured in the early part of the 20th century they would visit a town or city for a week and perform a different Gilbert & Sullivan opera each night.
(See report dated
12 Sep 1916 )
This must have been quite a hectic life - standing on station platforms waiting for connections & living out of a suitcase.
By 1920 she was with the Royal Opera, Covent Garden and performed in many operas for the company.
(See report dated
29 May 1920 )
She also made a radio broadcast in November 1923.
Loss to Opera
In 1933 Elsie left her home in Edith Grove, Chelsea and returned to “Greenbank” Eston. According to her obituary this was to recuperate from an illness but after a few weeks she died there on 2nd May 1933. (See Announcement and Obituary ) Elsie is buried in Eston Cemetery with other members of her family - there is no headstone to mark her grave.