Mourning for valued London vocal coach
mainThe family of Philip Doghan have announced his death on social media.
Philip started out at Covent Garden in 1961 as a boy Fairy in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
He went on to sing 140 roles in 62 opera houses, including 15 world premieres, before becoming Professor of Singing at the Royal Academy of Music, and in Zurich, Copenhagen and Cologne.
There will be a memorial service at St. Paul’s Church, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9ED on Tuesday, 25 February 2020 at 2:30pm
A fine singer, valued teacher and generally wonderful all round person.
RIP. Dear Philip and thanks for the memories.
I only knew Philip (vaguely) in university days. I was in the chorus of a production of Ruddygore by G&S in June 1969. Phil was playing the tenor lead and only learned at the dress rehearsal that this would involve dancing a fairly extensive hornpipe at the end of his first act entrance number, which he then had to extemporise. It was entirely hilarious – a memory etched in my brain to this day. That may well have been his first and last experience of Gilbert & Sullivan. He had a superb voice then: so sorry to hear the news of his passing.
Sad to belatedly learn of Philip’s passing. We were at Westminster City School together and took part in that school’s wonderful musical and dramatic ventures. We both sang as trebles at Covent Garden and I later inherited a Governors’ Grant for free lessons at the Guildhall after Philip moved onto Durham University. Although I eventually moved to New Zealand, our paths crossed on three occasions during my brief return visits to London. Considering the size of London’s population, it seemed almost spooky that at 4-yearly intervals, we should spot each other at Victoria Station, again in St Martin’s Lane, and (least likely of all) on an underground train heading to Finchley Road.
He was a lovely guy with a mischevious sense of humour; a talented pianist who not only played the 1st movement of Schumann’s Piano Concerto but also sang the tenor solo in Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast at the annual school concert. If I remember correctly, he played a Telemann viola concerto too! I believe he studied organ at Durham.So, all in all, a very talented man.
May he rest in peace.
Dear Philip, I am so sad to find this news about you have passed away… I remember my staying in your appartment vividly, as the much appreciated singing lessons in Cologne. I wish I could have continued, and I so wish I had the chance to talk to you again… RIP, dear Philip… I hope you are well where you are now, you are dearly missed…♡…yours, Karin