Fine British baritone dies at 73
RIPThere is widespread sorrow at the passing of Stephen Roberts, an outstanding recitalist and oratorio soloist.
He was professor of vocal studies at the Royal College of Music, a gentle, guiding influence.
His recordings include Elgar’s Caractacus and The Apostles under Richard Hickox, as well as Vaughan Williams’s A Sea Symphony, Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast with John Pritchard, and George Dyson’s Canterbury Pilgrims for Chandos.
Tragic loss. One of the most beautiful baritone voices, and such a fine musician.
Very sad news. We worked together often in the 1970s/80s, mostly for Denys Darlow, who gave Stephen many opportunities at the end of his time at the Royal College and the beginning of his professional career. My favourite recording of his is ‘Songs by Finzi and his Friends’ (Hyperion CD 55084), which he shares with Ian Partridge, particularly his wonderful performance of Harry Gill’s ‘In Memoriam’. Gorffwys mewn heddwch, Stephen.
I sang with him several times abroad as the guest soprano for Pro Cantiones Antiqua. He was always fun but then always knew his stuff as well. What a loss.
I sang with him several times abroad as one of the guest sopranos for Pro Cantiones Antiqua. He was fun but then he always knew his stuff. A great loss.
Stephen Roberts was a wonderful Christus in the annual performances (in English) of the St Matthew Passion by the Bach Choir, conducted magnificently in those days (when the Festival Hall was packed twice, on Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday) by Sir David Willcocks.
Such a fine singer. One of the first times I attended a concert at Royal Festival Hall was a Faure Requiem where he sang beautifully the baritone part alongside Felicity Lott who sang the Pie Jesu.
Really sad. Far too young. We were at College together. Top bloke.
He was a wonderful singing teacher and I was lucky enough to learn from him for twenty years. Generous with his time, charged far too little and unerringly knew how fix vocal problems. And he was kind and fun.