Viola Wilson

Wilson was born Violet Wilson Hogg in Pressburg, Austria/Hungary,{{cite web|url=https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/tributes/notice/death-notices/tait-viola/3465785/ |title=My Tributes |publisher=The Weekly Times |date=7 February 2002 |access-date=10 July 2022}} youngest daughter of Violet Hogg and Gavin Hogg of Paisley, Scotland.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205172522 |title=Of Theatrical Interest |newspaper=The Age |issue=26,924 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=2 August 1941 |access-date=10 July 2022 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}}

She trained as a pianist, then studied singing at the Glasgow Royal Academy; Father Sydney MacEwan was a fellow-student.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article247298220 |title=Woman's World |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=22,135 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=1 May 1948 |accessdate=14 July 2022 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}} She joined the Carl Rosa Opera Company, touring South Africa, and played Gilbert and Sullivan (G.& S.) with D'Oyly Carte in London and on Broadway.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17668365 |title='We Have a Song to Sing!' |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |issue=31,889 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=14 March 1940 |access-date=11 July 2022 |page=21 |via=National Library of Australia}} In 1940 she was brought out to Australia by J. C. Williamson's as leading soprano for their G.& S. company.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169763191 |title=Frank Tait to Marry a Red-head |newspaper=Truth (Sydney newspaper) |issue=2674 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=6 April 1941 |access-date=10 July 2022 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}

They opened on 16 March 1940 at the Theatre Royal, Sydney with The Gondoliers, in which Wilson's (as Casilda) rendition of "There Was a Time" was praised.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17654116 |title=Gilbert and Sullivan |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |issue=31,892 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=18 March 1940 |access-date=12 July 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}} The Yeomen of the Guard (as Elsie) followed, then Iolanthe (as Phyllis), The Mikado (Yum Yum), then Patience and Princess Ida (both in the name parts). A similar program then followed at His Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article246479749 |title=Gilbert and Sullivan as Bright as Ever |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=19,702 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=6 July 1940 |access-date=9 July 2022 |page=23 |via=National Library of Australia}} running for 22 weeks, an Australian record.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244577975 |title=Old Operas to be Staged Here Next Year |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=19,834 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=7 December 1940 |access-date=12 July 2022 |page=27 |via=National Library of Australia}} Frank Tait, managing director of J. C. Williamson's, hosted a party for the company after the last curtain.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11310958 |title=The Life of Melbourne |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=29,428 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=16 December 1940 |access-date=13 July 2022 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}} He announced that the company would be kept together for the duration of the war, though it might mean departing from the G.& S. canon to play such as Balfe's opera, The Bohemian Girl, Wallace's Maritana and the operetta Lilac Time.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article172366797 |title=J.C.W. Opera Company to be Retained for War Period |newspaper=The Telegraph (Brisbane) |location=Queensland, Australia |date=10 December 1940 |access-date=13 July 2022 |page=17 |via=National Library of Australia}}

They left for New Zealand on 26 December, for a four-month tour.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205307524 |title=Stage Outlook for 1941 |newspaper=The Age |issue=26751 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=11 January 1941 |access-date=13 July 2022 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In April 1941, while at Dunedin on the last leg of their tour, Wilson and Tait announced their engagement, their wedding set for 16 August.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231202934 |title=Theatrical Romance |newspaper=The Sun (Sydney) |issue=1984 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=6 April 1941 |access-date=12 July 2022 |page=23 |via=National Library of Australia}}

The company returned to Australia, playing at His Majesty's Theatre, Brisbane from 24 April to 24 May. Many playgoers sported tartan accessories on the final night as a compliment to Wilson.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203203851 |title=His Majesty's |newspaper=Truth (Brisbane newspaper) |issue=2148 |location=Queensland, Australia |date=25 May 1941 |access-date=13 July 2022 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Adelaide followed on 31 May and Perth from 28 June and the company was back in Melbourne playing The Gondoliers from 2 August. Wilson was playing Casilda on the eve of her marriage{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article142144599 |title=A Critic Makes a Discovery: Promising New Musical Play |newspaper=The Australasian |volume=CLI |issue=4,833 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=16 August 1941 |access-date=13 July 2022 |page=44 |via=National Library of Australia}} Irony alert.

The wedding was a joyful, informal occasion, with all the G.& S. company taking part. Evelyn Gardiner's husband Lieut.-Col. Richard Lister York gave the bride away, as her father could not make the trip. Viola's friend Sara Gregory was bridesmaid, and her singing teacher Francesca Duret sang Grieg's "I Love Thee" during the signing of the register. Both husband and wife made speeches at the reception, held at their home on Hopetoun Road, Toorak.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article142144695 |title=A Melbourne Letter |newspaper=The Australasian |volume=CLI |issue=4,834 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=23 August 1941 |access-date=13 July 2022 |page=33 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Marie Bremner took Wilson's place in the company{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article247497057 |title=News from Melbourne |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |volume=II |issue=42 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=31 August 1941 |access-date=13 July 2022 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}} while the couple was on their brief — taking a holiday was not in Tait's nature — honeymoon in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sydney.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article172641077 |title=Great Opportunity For Australian Writers Says J.C.W. Director |newspaper=The Telegraph (Brisbane) |location=Queensland, Australia |date=22 August 1941 |access-date=13 July 2022 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Still billed as "Viola Wilson", she was back with the company in Melbourne for a week from 6 September, playing Princess Ida, Evelyn Gardiner attracting particular praise.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article172194895 |title=Theatre |author=Gregory Parable |newspaper=The Advocate (Melbourne) |volume=LXXIV |issue=4595 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=11 September 1941 |access-date=13 July 2022 |page=26 |via=National Library of Australia}} Then followed the old favorites Pinafore, Ruddigore (as Rose Maybud), and Mikado, with a planned revival of The Sorcerer (as Aline), plus Lilac Time, a favorite often included in Australian G.& S. seasons.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article245614489 |title=Stage and Screen |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=20,067 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=6 September 1941 |access-date=13 July 2022 |page=15 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Sydney followed with a double bill of Pirates and Trial by Jury followed by The Yeomen of the Guard and the rest. In April 1942 the company played Strauss's operetta Nightbirds, with Wilson as Adele. The Gondoliers followed, with Wilson again playing Casilda, replaced by Elva Blair on several occasions when Wilson was indisposed,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article206810941 |title=G.& S. Season |newspaper=The Age |issue=27,184 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=4 June 1942 |access-date=13 July 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}} and again in June playing Phyllis for Wilson in Iolanthe.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11980178 |title=Opportunity for Elva Blair |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=29,886 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=8 June 1942 |access-date=13 July 2022 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In February 1943 they were back in Melbourne with the promised Lilac Time with Wilson as Lilli to John Fullard's Schubert. In that year a G.& S. opera was broadcast for the first time in Australia, live and in full, though some dialogue was excised; The Gondoliers in January{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article172204713 |title=Good Broadcasting Week |newspaper=The Advocate (Melbourne) |volume=LXXVI |issue=4666 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=28 January 1943 |access-date=14 July 2022 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}} with Pirates and Iolanthe in February. The principal performers were Ivan Menzies, Viola Wilson, Evelyn Gardiner, and Bernard Manning.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article172204872 |title=The Onlooker |newspaper=The Advocate (Melbourne) |volume=LXXVI |issue=4667 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=4 February 1943 |access-date=14 July 2022 |page=17 |via=National Library of Australia}}

For three years her appearances on stage were sporadic; on 31 May she gave birth to a daughter Isla Frances Tait,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11336619 |title=Daughter for Mrs Frank Tait |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=30,191 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=2 June 1943 |access-date=13 July 2022 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}} Isla being also the name of Wilson's sister. When Gladys Moncrieff was unable to appear at that year's Carols by Candlelight, due to commitments with the troops in New Guinea, Wilson volunteered.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article206353506 |title=Amusements |newspaper=The Age |issue=27,669 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=24 December 1943 |access-date=13 July 2022 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}} She also participated in patriotic and charitable functions,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article246013243 |title=Matinee to Help Limbless Soldiers |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=21,006 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=13 September 1944 |access-date=14 July 2022 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}} appearing with Gracie Fields at a concert for soldiers at Puckapunyal.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article973999 |title=Puckapunyal Concert |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=30,845 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=9 July 1945 |access-date=14 July 2022 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}} A second daughter, Viola Anne, was born on 20 December 1944.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article246010270 |title=Daughters Born |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=21,091 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=21 December 1944 |access-date=14 July 2022 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}

She returned to the popular stage in June 1946 as Maria Ziegler in Ivor Novello's The Dancing Years with Max Oldaker, produced by Leontine Sagan to good but not glowing reviews.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article245545853 |title=Brilliant Musical Comedy |newspaper=The Herald |issue=21,564 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=1 July 1946 |access-date=14 July 2022 |page=12 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In 1947 Mr and Mrs Tait made a four-month visit to Scotland, leaving their two little daughters in Melbourne.

A third daughter, Sally, was born 16 July 1949.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article246028048 |title=Singer and Daughter |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=22,599 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=27 October 1949 |access-date=14 July 2022 |page=17 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Later activities include many years' adjudicating at finals of the £1,000 Mobil Quest talent show, whose winner in 1950 was Joan Sutherland.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45675124 |title=Mobilquest Won by Soprano |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=93 |issue=28,677 |location=South Australia |date=7 September 1950 |access-date=14 July 2022 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}}

She was also on the judging panel for the inaugural Miss Australia Quest in 1954.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23424851 |title=The Judges Who Will Choose "Miss Australia 1954" |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |location=Victoria, Australia |date=18 May 1954 |access-date=14 July 2022 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Tait was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 1990 Australia Day Honours for service to the performing arts.{{Cite web |date=26 January 1990 |title=Lady Viola Wilson Tait |url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/869780 |access-date=2022-09-01 |website=It's an Honour}} She was instrumental in the foundation of the Tait Memorial Trust in 1992.

Lady Viola Tait died on 6 February 2002. She left her large collection of theatrical memorabilia to the Victorian Arts Centre.{{cite web|url=https://liveperformance.com.au/hof-profile/frank-tait-1883-1965/ |title=Hall of Fame: Frank Tait 1883–1965 |publisher=Live Performance Australia |author=Frank Van Straten |year=2007 |access-date=10 July 2022}}

• {{cite book|author=Tait, Viola |title=A Family of Brothers: the Taits and J.C. Williamson : a theatre history |year=1971 |publisher=Heinemann |pages=303 (illustrated) |isbn=0855610115}}
• {{cite book|author=Tait, Viola |title=Dames, Principal Boys . . . and All That: a history of pantomime in Australia |year=2001 |publisher=Macmillan |pages=239 (illustrated) |isbn=187683224X}}

• Frank S. Tait#Family includes his second family with Viola Tait.

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Category:1911 births

Category:2002 deaths

Category:20th-century Australian women opera singers

Category:Members of the Order of Australia