English baritone, RIP
RIPThe popular ENO and Glyndebourne baritone Nicholas Folwell died on Thursday after a short illness, his agent has confirmed.
He appeared recently as Notary Der Rosenkavalier, Hausfhofmeister Ariadne auf Naxos, Antonio Le nozze di Figaro and Ortel Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg for Glyndebourne Festival, Baron Duphol La traviata for Glyndebourne on Tour, Mr Kallenbach Satyagraha for English National Opera, Klingsor Parsifal for Saffron Walden Opera, and Scarpia Tosca and Dr Bartolo The Barber of Seville for Mid Wales Opera.
In all, he performed over 130 roles including several world premières, among them the title role in Blond Eckbert (Judith Weir), Mutius Timon of Athens (Stephen Oliver), and Mr van Tricasse Dr Ox’s Experiment (Gavin Bryars), Koroviev in the world premiere of York Höller’s Der Meister und Margarita at the Opéra de Paris, and several roles in The Trial by Philip Glass for Music Theatre Wales.
Lovely man, fine voice and a super stage presence. He will be sorely missed, our thoughts are with Susie and the family.
If I wanted to introduce just the slightest sour note, it’s that he was overlooked more as he got older which is both a great shame and something of which the industry needs to take note. Quality and experience never get old and we cast off singers of this type way too soon.
I couldn’t agree more. Bravo!!!
What sad news… When I all of a sudden jumped in at Glyndebourne Opera Festival with “Meistersinger” in May 2016, he was one of the Meistersinger, Hermann Ortel. Who has ever been at the festival in Glyndebourne knows about the fantastic, very particular atmosphere there, doing opera with world class singers and a brilliant orchestra, the London Philharmonic. Nicolas has been more than a singer, he has been an artist and a very fine fellow. Dedicated to his art, focused on perfection and always keen to learn new things I will always remember him and his friendly, trustworthy and dedicated manners. Farewell my friend, you are sorely missed.
Such sad news. For such a nice man he was particularly good at baddies: Scarpia, Klingsor, Melot, Alberich…
This is very sad news indeed. I remember Nick especially from “Blond Eckbert” at ENO and from his superb Alberich in our Antony McDonald/Ed Spanjaard “Ring” production at Nationale Reisopera. We will miss him.
Very sorry to read this. We used to work together often. He was an excellent singer and colleague. My sincere condolences to his family.
Nic was such a lovely guy and a fine baritone. We always loved his Irish concerts with promoter Barra O’Tuama in the 90’s. I remember his Germont pere in Traviata in Cork also. Deepest sympathy to his family, his Irish friends are very sad to hear of his passing.
Reviewing the PARSIFAL led by Goodall in the 1980’s (EMI), Kenneth Furie wrote that Nicholas Folwell as Klingsor was “the first recorded interpreter to SING the whole role, with weight and presence down below and some freedom on top.”
More sad news of another versatile singer His Alberich remains a benchmark for me with WNO also later with Longborough RIP
I’m so sorry to hear of his passing he was a absolute gentleman! He was my “husband” in die Meistersinger it was my absolute pleasure to have met such a talented artist ! Rest in peace
Nic was a great colleague and good friend stretching right back to our earliest WNO days. Having both partial German parentage and a similar sense of humour, we regularly “flew sparks” off each other in many a Ring cycle and even jokingly referred to each other as “Bruder”; he was the equal of any Alberich with whom I have been fortunate to work…… Ruhe in Frieden Bruder…….
A mentor, colleague, and most importantly a great friend. A wonderful singer and a tremendous person. We first met as colleagues on the 2007 Scottish Opera production of Barber. Nic always made time for me whenever I was in England, whether it was for a vocal tuneup, career advice, or just his invaluable insights on the operatic world. Most recently we met on FaceTime and he coached me on Cunning Little Vixen for Canadian Opera Company. Love to Susie and his family. Gone way too soon.
So sorry to hear the news of the passing of Nick. What a great singer. We spent many good times off stage and onstage together on stage at the WNO in operas such as Rheingold and House of the Dead. His Alberich was simply amazing. Sincere sadness and commiserations to Susannah and Nick’s family.