Santa Cruz History ~ Henry Thompson (Part 4)

there are no photographs of Henry,
so here is an artist's rendition
I am the artist. For obvious reasons, 
this is not historically accurate.

I'm so happy to have finally gotten to Part 4 of my 5-part Santa Cruz History series on The Freako Diva! Part 4 is all about Henry Thompson, or Enrico de Tomaso, the charming bass, teacher, activist, and performer who is the main character of Dana Bagshaw's lovely play,  "La Boheme Santa Cruz", with one performance left TODAY, August 29th @4pm at the Carmelita Cottages in Santa Cruz! 

Part 3 is everything I could find about Lottie Thompson, Henry's fan, student, and then wife. Part 2 is all about Captain Timothy Dame, Lottie's stepfather and also a character in "La Boheme Santa Cruz". Please check them out! I added links to both.

photo taken by Dana Bagshaw:
Henry Thompson's musical score,
brought to our first perforamance on
August 21 by Traci Bliss.

James Henry Thompson was born in August of 1857 in Soquel, Santa Cruz County, to parents who owned a Rodeo Gulch on Capitola Road. His maternal grandmother was a professional singer, most likely contributing to his musical skills, and his maternal grandfather was Judge Henry Rice. As a young boy, Henry performed in several youth choirs, always attracting attention from the public for his beautiful voice and natural charisma. Despite Henry's musical inclination, his grandfather - Judge Henry Rice - insisted that Henry pursue a career in law. Henry studied law and even worked as a clerk in the Secretary of State's office in Sacramento for about a year. However, in 1882, at the age of 25, Henry set off to Italy to study voice. Before he left, the Santa Cruz Opera House threw him a going-away party, attracting a lot of fans who wished to see Henry off to his travels. Since Lottie and her mother Ellen came to Santa Cruz from Manhattan, New York in 1877, Lottie might have been present at Henry's going away party! She would have been 11 years-old!

photo taken by Dana Bagshaw:
Henry Thompson's musical score,
brought to our first perforamance
on August 21 by Traci Bliss.

Henry was seemingly very successful in Italy, as he would send letters back to his hometown from his travels to the local Santa Cruz newspaper, telling various entertaining stories. Now, I don't know how the postal services worked in Italy back then, but if they worked anything like they do now, I'm impressed that Henry's letters actually made it back to the U.S. before he returned himself. (I might be rude, but I speak from my own, bitter experience. Please forgive me.)

While in Italy, Henry went by the stage-name of Enrico de Tomaso and sometimes under the name of Enrico Branciforte. The name that stuck was Enrico de Tomaso, as he would  use "Signor Tomaso" as his signature. In 1883, Henry broke his leg in Milan because a platform he was performing on collapsed under him. Was it an accident or were they trying to kill him?! We shall never know.

Around 1886, Henry returned to the U.S. and began touring with various light opera companies. In 1889, he returned back home to Santa Cruz, where he was called "Our Henry". 

Henry Thompson's grave at 
Evergreen Cemetery in Santa Cruz,
photographed by me

After beginning his work as choir director at Calvary Episcopal Church (where he would later be married), Henry began focusing on Lottie Thomson Dame, a valuable member of the choir. Full of generosity and love for his community, Henry worked hard to organize performances and other musical events in Santa Cruz. He promoted culture, initiated many musical aspects of the local churches, and advocated for affordable ticket prices for concerts. He used music and his beautiful singing to perform at Democratic rallies, combining his political and musical aspirations. He formed a local quartet with Rollin Case, his good friend, music teacher, tenor, and also a character in Dana Bagshaw's "La Boheme Santa Cruz". He also performed at the Santa Cruz Opera House alongside Lottie, as their romance grew, both off and onstage.

Their wedding at Calvary Episcopal Church was a HIT, as over 800 people showed up to the wedding. This must have been the result of both their vibrant personalities and ability to attract attention and admiration from the local community. Their musical work developed the cultural scene in Santa Cruz, but due to the nature of small places, Henry and Lottie decided to seek out more opportunities and moved to Sacramento. In Sacramento, they both had plenty of students, but Henry had contracted consumption and his poor health forced them to return back home to Santa Cruz. Henry died in August of 1900, in his parents' home on Capitola Road. Much like his wedding was a massive event attended by almost all, Henry's funeral - though a sorrowful occasion - brought in many people. "About the longest funeral procession ever seen on Pacific Avenues was that of Henry Thompson" (Sentinel, 1900).  

Calvary Episcopal Church in Santa Cruz, 
as photographed by me

Henry was buried at the Evergreen Cemetery in Santa Cruz, the land to which was donated to Santa Cruz by his grandparents.

Dana Bagshaw's play "La Boheme Santa Cruz" has one last performance remaining today, @4pm at the Carmelita Cottages! It follows the life of Henry Thompson upon his return to Santa Cruz. Please also take a look at Part 1(Carmelita Cottages), Part 2(Captain Dame), and Part 3(Lottie) of my Santa Cruz History series! I'm so excited to be writing these! I am  putting links under the green highlights in all my articles, for sources and more information.

I used information from Rick Hyman's "History of the Carmelita Cottages" and Traci Bliss' "Evergreen Cemetery of Santa Cruz".

Part 1: Introduction to Carmelita Cottages and Dana Bagshaw's play, "La Boheme Santa Cruz"

Part 2: Captain Dame 

Part 3: Lottie Thompson Sly 

Part 4: Henry Thompson (you're reading it now!)

Part 5: Conclusion