Description

DENNIS NOBLE (BRISTOL, ENGLAND, 25 SEPTEMBER, 1898 – JAVEA, SPAIN, 14 MARCH, 1966)

 

 

 

 

His real name was William Ewart Noble. He studied under Dinh Gilly in London and later in Italy. After World War I, he began singing in English cinemas, where he was discovered by conductor Percy Pitt. In 1924, Pitt secured him an engagement at London’s Covent Garden, where he debuted in the role of Marullo in Rigoletto. For the next six years, Noble appeared in smaller roles at Covent Garden until his breakthrough in 1930 as Sharpless in Madama Butterfly and particularly in 1931 as Germont-père in La Traviata alongside Rose Ponselle. In 1937, he performed in the premiere of E. Goossens’ opera Don Juan de Mañara. Noble served as Covent Garden’s lead baritone until 1938 and returned for another engagement in 1947. He also performed with the British National Opera Company in London and the Carl Rosa Opera Company, and made guest appearances at opera houses in Cleveland (1935–36) and Cincinnati. At Covent Garden, he appeared in premieres of several operas, including Pickwick by A. Coates (1936), Judith (September 25, 1929), and Don Juan de Mañara (June 24, 1937) by E. Goossens.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1924 London Covent Garden Rigoletto (Marullo)

1930 London Covent Garden Madama Butterfly (Sharpless)

1931 London Covent Garden La Traviata (Germont-père)

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. A Great and Mighty Wonder with Margaret Field-Hyde, Marjorie  Thomas and Heddle Nash HMV B 9602 0EA 12480-1
2. A Virgin Unspotted with Margaret Field-Hyde, Marjorie  Thomas and Heddle Nash HMV B 9603 0EA 12482-1
3. Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Largo al factorum Columbia 9556 WAX 3200
4. Dido and Aeneas (Purcell) Behold upon My bending spear with Joan  Hammond, Isobel Baillie and Sylvia Patriss HMV C 3475 2EA 10526-1
5. Dido and Aeneas (Purcell) See, see your royal guest appears with Joan  Hammond and Isobel Baillie HMV C 3472 2EA 10521-1
6. Dido and Aeneas (Purcell) Your council all is urg’d in vain [a]; Great minds against themselves conspire [b] with Joan  Hammond and Isobel Baillie HMV  C 3476 2EA 10529-2
7. Good Christian Men Rejoice with Margaret Field-Hyde, Marjorie  Thomas and Heddle Nash HMV B 9603 0EA 12481-1
8. I Saw Three Ships with Margaret Field-Hyde, Marjorie  Thomas and Heddle Nash  HMV B 9602 0EA 12479-2
9. Maritana – 6. (Vincent Wallace)  Turn On, Old Time with Clara Serena and Heddle Nash Columbia DB 615 CA 11921-2
10. Maritana – 8. (Vincent Wallace)  In Happy Moment Day By Day HMV DB 616 CA 11919-2
11. Maritana (Vincent Wallace)  Finale (Act 2) What Mystery with Heddle Nash and Miriam Licette Columbia CA11926 63506
12. Maritana (Vincent Wallace) Of Fairy Wand Had I the Power with Miriam Licette Columbia CA11920 63474
13. Nirvana (S. Adams) HMV C 3125 2EA8256-1
14. The Apostles, op.49 (Elgar) By the wayside (Part 1 Part 2) with Dora Labbette, Hubert Eisdell, Harold Williams and Robert Easton Columbia WAX 2384-1, WAX 2385-2, L1968, L1968
15. The Barber of Saville (Rossini) Can I Be Dare I Believe Thee (act 1) part 2 with Miriam Licette Columbia WAX2872 7802
16. The Fox (Blunt – Warlock) HMV B 10075 0EA 15472-2
17. The Frost-Bound Wood (Blunt – Warlock) HMV B. 10075 0EA 15471-1
18. Traviata (Verdi) Ah! Say to thy daughter… Now command me with Joan Hammond Columbia  C3387 2ER 734,  C3387 2ER 733