Evans, (Sir) Geraint (Llewellyn)

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Evans, (Sir) Geraint (Llewellyn) (b Cilfynydd, Pontypridd, 1922; d Aberystwyth, 1992). Welsh baritone and opera producer. Début CG 1948 (Nightwatchman in Die Meistersinger), becoming one of leading int. bars., his best roles incl. Falstaff, Figaro, Papageno, Wozzeck, Beckmesser, and Leporello. Débuts: Glyndebourne 1950–61; S. Francisco 1959; La Scala 1960; Vienna 1961; Salzburg Fest. 1962; NY Met 1964; Paris 1975. Created roles of Mr Flint (Billy Budd, CG 1951), Mountjoy (Gloriana, CG 1953), and Antenor (Troilus and Cressida, CG 1954). Retired 1984 (last opera perf. CG 4 June 1984) but appeared at Glyndebourne gala concert as speaker, July 1992. Autobiography A Knight at the Opera (1984). CBE 1959. Knighted 1971.