By the 1890s, Jessie Charlotte Bond was at the peak of her G&S career. She was the leading mezzo-soprano in all of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most famous Savoy operas. She had starred in shows from HMS Pinafore to The Gondoliers, each time creating new roles with more and more importance. Jessie was a real star.

As with so many successful stage careers it all began with being in the right place at the right time.

Back in November 1877, W S Gilbert could have been forgiven for feeling rather pleased. His partnership with composer Arthur Sullivan had produced another success. Their new opera, The Sorcerer was playing to ecstatic audiences at the Opera Comique. The impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte was delighted with full houses for every performance and had agreed very favourable terms for their next venture.

The established star of the Opera Comique, Mrs Isabella Howard Paul was spellbinding audiences as Lady Sangazure in The Sorcerer.  Celebrated for her clever acting and comic impressions of well know singers of the day, Isabella was at the peak of her glittering 25-year stage career. Gilbert was determined to write a suitable role for her in the new opera, HMS Pinafore.

The leading mezzo-soprano in the new opera was the role of Cousin Hebe. Gilbert set out to write a part for Hebe that would make the most of Isabella’s talents, with ample opportunity for her to include her own famous songs, impressions and comic turns.

But there was a bit of a snag. Isabella’s voice had deteriorated over the years and although still only 44, she couldn’t successfully sing the music Sullivan composed for Hebe. He wasn’t prepared to compromise a note and was reluctant to use her. Gilbert agreed that there was indeed a problem with her singing.

They hit on an ingenious plan to keep all Isabella’s clever business and special dialogue in the show, but to give the actual singing to a newcomer. Jessie Bond was charming and had a lovely voice. She was 25 and pretty. Isabella hated her on sight.