Description

FRANK MULLINGS (WALSALL, 10 MAY, 1881 – MANCHESTER, 19 MAY, 1953)

 

 

 

He began his musical journey early, performing as a soprano soloist at the age of eleven in a performance of Mendelssohn’s Elias. Initially intending to become a teacher, he later shifted his focus to singing, beginning formal vocal training in 1904 under Beard and Breedan in Birmingham. His debut came in 1907 when he performed in a concert rendition of Gounod’s Faust in Coventry.

By 1911, he had gained significant recognition in London as a concert singer. His stage debut occurred in 1913 with the Denhof Opera Company in Birmingham, where he sang the demanding role of Tristan in Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde. From 1915 to 1920, he was a principal tenor with the Beecham Opera Company in London, earning further acclaim. In 1916, he premiered Charles Stanford’s opera The Critic at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London.

His success continued, particularly with his performances at Covent Garden, where he appeared in 1919, and with the British Nationwide Opera Company from 1922 to 1926. Notably, he took part in the English premiere of Isidore de Lara’s opera Naïl in 1922, singing the role of Hadyar. In 1930, he performed the role of Radames in Verdi’s Aida with the Covent Garden ensemble in Manchester and frequently sang with the Carl Rosa Company.

Specializing in Wagnerian roles, he excelled in parts such as Tristan, Siegfried, and Parsifal. Alongside his opera career, he was also a distinguished concert and oratorio tenor, becoming particularly renowned for his interpretation of Otello in Verdi’s Otello.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1913 Birmingham Denhof Opera Company

1915-1920 London Beecham Opera Company

1916 London Shaftesbury Theatre

1919 London Covent Garden

1922-26 British Nationwide Opera Company

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Aida (Verdi) Celeste Aida L1349 76423 Columbia
2. Aida (Verdi) Nile Duet, pt 1, pt 2 (w. Stralia) 7248, 74063, 7249, 74064 Columbia
3. Carmen (Bizet) My Mother I Behold (Mia madre vedo ancor) (w. Stralia) 7258 74106 Columbia
4. Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Ah, stay, Turiddu (w. Stralia) 7242 74066 Columbia, London 1920-05-07
5. Geneviève de Brabant (Offenbach) Gendarmes duet (w. Allin) L1735 WAX1262 Columbia
6. Jephta (Händel) Deeper and deeper still 9350 WAX1900 Columbia
7. Lohengrin (Wagner) Farewell (Cigno fedel) L1147 75498 Columbia
8. Lohengrin (Wagner) Narration (Da voi lontan) L1147 75497 Columbia
9. Love and War (Cooke) (w. Allin) L1735 WAX1261 Columbia
10. Love went a-riding (Frank Bridge) L1325 76002 Columbia
11. Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner) Prize song L1228 75327 Columbia
12. Messiah (Händel) Every valley shall be exalted L1452 75190 Columbia
13. Otello (Verdi) Could I but die… Stilled by the gathering (w. Licette) L1562 AX294, L1562 AX296 Columbia