Scott Russell (tenor)

Harry Henry Russell, better known as Scott Russell (25 September 1868 – 28 August 1949), was an English singer, actor and theatre manager best known for his performances in the tenor roles with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. He was the brother-in-law of D'Oyly Carte contralto Louie René.

Life and career

Russell was born in

From 1902 to 1904, Russell returned to D'Oyly Carte, appearing in his old tenor roles and adding to his repertoire Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance, the Duke of Dunstable in Patience, Earl Tolloller in Iolanthe, Nanki-Poo in The Mikado, Marco in The Gondoliers and Ralph Rackstraw in H.M.S. Pinafore.^[3]

Later life and career

Russell appeared again at Daly's in 1906 to 1907 in The Geisha, Amasis, and Les Merveilleuses, after which he acted no more until 1910 with the Beecham Light Opera Company. He continued to perform in London and on tour until 1938. In 1932, he appeared in Derby Day. Russell's last London performances were at the Kingsway Theatre in Frederic Austin's The Beggar's Opera, as Locket, in October 1938.^[3]

Between 1920 and 1932, Russell served as the manager of the

He died in Malvern.[3]

Recordings

In 1898, Russell recorded "Take a pair of sparkling eyes" from The Gondoliers. This is generally regarded as being the first professionally produced recording of a song from a Gilbert and Sullivan opera.^[3] In 1899 he recorded the same song. In 1900, he recorded three tenor songs, from The Rose of Persia ("I Care Not If"), Princess Ida ("Would You Know") and Utopia, Limited ("A Tenor All Singers"), which appear on the Pearl CD "The Art of the Savoyard" (GEMM CD 9991).^[4]

References

• Ayre, Leslie (1972). The Gilbert & Sullivan Companion. London: W.H. Allen & Co Ltd. Introduction by Martyn Green.

Notes