Walter Hyde (Tenor) (Birmingham 1875 - London 1951)

He was one of the greatest dramatic tenors in Britain in the early decades of the twentieth century. He trained in London at the Royal College of Music under Gustave Garcia and Walter Parratt, appearing in student productions of ''Euryanthe'' and ''Much Ado About Nothing'' (Stanford). His early professional career was in musical comedy, including ''Miss Hook of Holland'' (Rubens 1907) and ''Three Kisses'' (Talbot 1907). Percy Pitt then recruited him to sing Siegmund in the 1908 English language Ring cycles at Covent Garden, which were conducted by Hans Richter and directed by E C Hedmondt. He continued to work regularly at Covent Garden until 1923. One of his early appearances there was as Sali in the British premiere of Delius' ''A Village Romeo and Juliet'', conducted by Beecham (1910). He worked extensively with Beecham's company, and in the twenties became a director of BNOC, continuing to sing with them until they folded. He sang Siegmund at the New York Met, and in 1912 toured the USA in Robin Hood. After Siegmund, his most notable Wagnerian role was probably Parsifal. He later became Professor of Singing at the Guildhall School of Music, where his students included John Heddle Nash and Eric Shilling.

Chronology of some appearances

1908-1923 London Covent Garden

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Odeon London 1908 

The nightingale/ A maiden fair to see" WH and chorus  44872 Lx2153

Odeon London 1909 

The Noble Outlaw (Bishop) The Pilgrim of Love Odeon 84222 Lxx296

HMV, London 1910-07-27

Contes d'Hoffmann (Offenbach): Legend of Kleinsack (w. chorus) 02256 4341f

HMV, London 1921

Die Walküre (Wagner): Winter storms have waned (Winterstürme wichen dem Wonnemond) (o Byng) 02932 598