Durward Lely
British opera singer and actor
Died when: 91 years 180 days (1097 months)Star Sign: Virgo
Durward Lely (2 September 1852 – 29 February 1944) was a Scottish opera singer and actor.Although he had an extensive opera, concert and acting career, he is primarily remembered as the creator of five tenor roles in Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operas, including Nanki-Poo in The Mikado, for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company.
Lely studied singing in Italy in the early 1870s and beginning his career there.He returned to tour in concerts and made his British opera debut in 1879, at Her Majesty's Theatre, in what would become one of his signature roles, Don José, in Carmen.
After touring in opera, he joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in 1880, soon becoming their leading tenor.He began there in the role of Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance and went on to create five roles in the famous series of Savoy operas, including Nanki-Poo in The Mikado.
He remained with the company until 1887.After this, Lely resumed a grand opera and concert career, appearing often with Adelina Patti, performing frequently at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and touring with the Carl Rosa Opera Company, among others.
He appeared widely in a musical stage adaptation, and in 1911, a film adaptation, of Rob Roy.Lely continued to perform until 1925.
He outlived nearly all of the singers with whom he had performed at the Savoy Theatre.
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British opera singer and actor
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