Description

WALTER WIDDOP (NORLAND, NEAR HALIFAX, YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND APRIL 19, 1892 – HAMPSTEAD, LONDON, ENGLAND SEPTEMBER 6, 1949)

 

 

 

 

He received his vocal training under Percy Pitt, Norman Allin, Arthur Hinchcliffe, and Dinh Gilly in London. He made his operatic debut in Leeds in 1923 as Radames in Aida with the British National Opera Company, where he performed until 1929.

In 1924, he made his debut at Covent Garden as Siegfried, alongside Frida Leider. He gained recognition as one of the first English tenors to specialize in Richard Wagner’s operas, appearing almost annually at Covent Garden until 1938. Notably, he sang Tristan opposite Kirsten Flagstad and performed as Max in Der Freischütz alongside Eva Turner. He also took part in the 1924 Covent Garden premiere of Eugène Goossens’s Judith, playing the role of Bagoas.

During the 1927-1928 season, he made guest appearances at the Teatro Liceo in Barcelona and also performed in Holland and Germany. He was involved in the English premiere of Gustav Mahler’s 8th Symphony (“Sinfonie der Tausend”).

Though he appeared only in concert halls in North America, he continued his career with a notable performance in 1948 in London as Ägisth in Elektra, partnering with Erna Schlüter. He passed away suddenly, leaving behind a significant legacy in Wagnerian roles and operatic performances.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1923 Leeds Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House Aida (Radames)

1924 London Covent Garden Siegfried (Siegfried)

1924 London Covent Garden Judith (Bagoas)

1928 London Covent Garden Armida (Rinaldo)

1935 London Covent Garden Freischütz (Max)

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Jephtha (Händel) Deeper and deeper still HMV D1118 (2-02166)
2. Jephtha (Händel) Waft her, angels HMV D1118 (2-02182)
3. Lohengrin (Wagner) Love duet, pt 1 (w. Ljungberg) HMV D2020 (32-1871)
4. Lohengrin (Wagner) Love duet, pt 2 (w. Ljungberg) HMV D2020 (32-1872)
5. Mass in B minor Benedictus (Bach) HMV 2-052408 C1725
6. Parsifal (Wagner) Auf Ewigkeiten warst du verdammt mit mir HMV 2-044054 EJ460
7. Parsifal (Wagner) Wehe! Wehe! HMV 2-044035 EJ459
8. Acis and Galatea (Händel) Love sounds the alarm HMV DB1566 (32-2162)
9. I know of two bright eyes (Clutsam) HMV E449 (6-2596)
10. Maritana (Wallace) Yes, let me like a soldier fall HMV D1887 (32-1190)
11. Elijah (Mendelssohn) Then shall the righteous HMV E566 (30-4787)
12. Elijah (Mendelssohn) If with all your hearts HMV E566 (30-4788)
13. Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner) Prize song HMV D2053 (32-814)
14. Lohengrin (Wagner) Narration HMV D1353 (2-02190)
15. Die Walküre (Wagner) Der Schwertknauf glänzt im Feuerschein Victor 9164-B
16. Die Walküre (Wagner) Siegmund begrüsst die Lenzesnacht (w. Ljungberg) Victor 9165-B
17. Die Walküre (Wagner) Siegmund sucht Unterkunft HMV 2-042042 EJ202
18. Die Walküre (Wagner) Siegmund kampft mit Hunding HMV 2-044017 ES411
19. Die Walküre Siegmunds Tod, 2 Akt HMV 2-044015 ES411
20. Tristan und Isolde (Wagner) Kurwenal cuenta a Tristán su llegada a Kareol HMV 5-0671 CR 1556