Role

:

Conductor  

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

November 6, 1925 in Hull, Yorkshire, England

Death

:

February 6, 2019 in England

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Gerald English was a renowned English tenor who was born on August 18, 1925, in London, England. He was the son of a Welsh father and an English mother. English grew up in a musical family, and his father was a professional singer. He attended the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied under the tutelage of Roy Henderson. English began his career as a concert singer, performing in various venues across the United Kingdom. He made his debut at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden in 1952, where he played the role of the First Armed Man in Mozart's "The Magic Flute." He quickly gained recognition for his powerful voice and his ability to convey emotion through his performances. In 1954, English made his debut at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, where he played the role of Tamino in "The Magic Flute." He went on to perform in several other productions at Glyndebourne, including "The Marriage of Figaro" and "Don Giovanni." English's performances at Glyndebourne helped to establish him as one of the leading tenors of his generation. English also performed with the English National Opera, the Scottish Opera, and the Welsh National Opera. He was known for his versatility as a singer, and he was equally comfortable performing in operas, oratorios, and recitals. He was particularly renowned for his performances of the works of Benjamin Britten, and he worked closely with Britten throughout his career. In 1964, English made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where he played the role of the Duke of Mantua in Verdi's "Rigoletto." He went on to perform in several other productions at the Met, including "The Magic Flute" and "Don Giovanni." English's performances at the Met helped to establish him as an international star. English was also a prolific recording artist, and he recorded many of the major works of the classical repertoire. He recorded several albums of Britten's music, including "The Turn of the Screw" and "Peter Grimes." He also recorded several albums of Handel's music, including "Messiah" and "Samson." English received many awards and honors throughout his career. In 1971, he was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to music. In 1984, he was awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal. He was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1991. English retired from performing in 1995, but he continued to work as a teacher and mentor to young singers. He was known for his generosity and his willingness to share his knowledge and experience with others. He died on June 16, 2019, at the age of 93. In conclusion, Gerald English was a highly respected and influential tenor who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. He was known for his powerful voice, his versatility as a singer, and his ability to convey emotion through his performances. He received many awards and honors throughout his career, and he was widely regarded as one of the leading tenors of his generation. His legacy continues to inspire and influence young singers today.

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