Santley, (Sir) Charles

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Santley, (Sir) Charles (b Liverpool, 1834; d London, 1922). Eng. baritone and composer. Opera début Pavia 1857 (as Doctor in La traviata), London (concert) 1857, CG 1859. Sang with various Eng. opera cos. Sang Valentin in Eng. première of Faust, 1863 (for 1864 revival Gounod added ‘Avant de quitter ces lieux’ specially for him). Sang at La Scala 1865–6. Sang title-role in Italian in Der fliegende Holländer, first London prod. of any Wagner opera (1870). Carl Rosa Co., 1875–6. Notable singer of oratorios etc. (especially Elijah), appearing at Leeds Fests., 3 Choirs (1863–1906), Birmingham Fest., Handel Fest. CG farewell 1911 but sang in 1915 at concert for Belgian relief. Wrote books on singing, and autobiography. Comp. mass and other church mus. Knighted 1907, year of his golden jubilee.

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Santley, (Sir) Charles

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