Description

WALTER MIDGLEY (BRAMLEY, NEAR ROTHERHAM, YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND, UK, 13 SEPTEMBER, 1912 – YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND, UK, 18 SEPTEMBER, 1980)

He began his singing studies with Joseph Lycett in Sheffield. Initially, he worked as an operetta singer and gained attention when he appeared in the operetta Merry England at the London Winter Garden Theatre. His talent was recognized by the tenor Frank Mullings, which led to his engagement as a chorister with the Carl Rosa Opera Company.

In 1945, he performed as a guest artist at Sadler’s Wells Opera in London and was subsequently engaged by the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. There, he achieved sensational success in 1947 as Calaf in Puccini’s Turandot, performing alongside the celebrated soprano Eva Turner. That same year, he sang at the Glyndebourne Festival (as Macduff in Verdi’s Macbeth) and the Edinburgh Festival.

Until around 1955, he enjoyed a prominent career at Covent Garden, specializing in the Italian and French repertoire. During this period, all operas at Covent Garden were performed in English. His major roles included Manrico in Il Trovatore, Alfredo in La Traviata, and Cavaradossi in Tosca. He also made luxury-class recordings for HMV, all sung in English.

Despite his success, his career as a celebrated tenor was relatively short-lived. After 1955, he rarely appeared on stage, focusing instead on concert performances and teaching.

His son, Vernon Midgley, followed in his footsteps as a tenor, gaining recognition in England through radio and television broadcasts. Vernon can be heard on Koch Records in The Beggar’s Opera and on Erato in Rossini’s Zelmira.

TRACKLIST

1. Africaine (Meyerbeer) O Paradiso DB21501 2EA15690-6 HMV, London 1952-04-08
2. Because (d’Hardelot) DB1899 CA17733-1 Columbia, London 1939-12-15
3. Bless this house (Brahe) DB1871 CA17496-2 Columbia, London 1939-06-09
4. Don Giovanni (Mozart) Dalla sua pace HMV, London 1951-08-16
5. Elisir d’amore (Donizetti) Una furtiva lagrima DB21501 2EA16480-2 HMV, London 1952-04-08
6. Go, lovely rose (Quilter) DA2014 0EA16474-2 HMV, London 1952-04-01
7. God be in my head (Walford Davies) (a); Solemn melody (b) Tommy Handley Memorial Choir HMV C. 3844 2EA 13585-1
8. Lohengrin (Wagner) Beloved swan! Unpubl., Columbia, London
9. Manon (Massenet) As I close my eyes (Dream) DB21358 2EA15816-2 HMV, London 1951-08-16
10. Merrie England (German) The English Rose DB1899 CA17734-3 Columbia, London 1940-01-05
11. My song (North) DB1934 CA18045-5 Columbia, London 1940-06-26
12. Rosita Slow Fox Trot (Kennedy & Carr) (as Michael Eastley) FB 2372 CA 17802 Columbia
13. Student Prince (Romberg) Serenade (w. chorus) DB1905 CA17803-1 Columbia, London 1940-02-02
14. The Long Day Closes (Chorley – Sullivan) Tommy Handley Memorial Choir HMV C. 3844 2EA 13584-1
15. To Daisies (Quilter) DA2014 0EA16473-2 HMV, London 1952-04-01
16. Tristesse (Chopin) So deep is the night Fox Trot (as Michael Eastley) FB 2372 CA 17801 Columbia
17. Tristesse (So deep is the night) (Chopin) DB1934 CA18046-3 Columbia, London 1940-06-26