Browning Mummery (tenor)
Encyclopedia
Browning Mummery was an Australian opera tenor
and actor of the 1920s and '30s who achieved a considerable reputation in Europe as well as Australia.
His first tutor which was when he was a boy, was the Italian baritone Bartlemen. In 1920 his operatic career began when he was accepted into the Gonzales Opera Company.
Throughout his career he played lyrical leading roles in a host of operas, including Madam Butterfly, The Magic Flute
, La Boheme
and Tosca
which was one of his favorites. He sang with Dame Nellie Melba
in La bohème
. The role he enjoyed most was David in Die Meistersinger.
He worked with conductors such as Sir John Barbirolli
, Sir Malcolm Sargent
, Sir Thomas Beecham
and Sir Henry Wood
.
He sang extensively in America and later taught in Melbourne.
At one point he had a seven-year contract with His Master's Voice.
Browning Mummery also appeared as the solo tenor in the 1934 film, Evensong
with Evelyn Laye
.
When he retired he lived in Canberra
ACT.
Tenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
and actor of the 1920s and '30s who achieved a considerable reputation in Europe as well as Australia.
His first tutor which was when he was a boy, was the Italian baritone Bartlemen. In 1920 his operatic career began when he was accepted into the Gonzales Opera Company.
Throughout his career he played lyrical leading roles in a host of operas, including Madam Butterfly, The Magic Flute
The Magic Flute
The Magic Flute is an opera in two acts composed in 1791 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to a German libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder. The work is in the form of a Singspiel, a popular form that included both singing and spoken dialogue....
, La Boheme
La bohème
La bohème is an opera in four acts,Puccini called the divisions quadro, a tableau or "image", rather than atto . by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, based on Scènes de la vie de bohème by Henri Murger...
and Tosca
Tosca
Tosca is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. It premiered at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome on 14 January 1900...
which was one of his favorites. He sang with Dame Nellie Melba
Nellie Melba
Dame Nellie Melba GBE , born Helen "Nellie" Porter Mitchell, was an Australian operatic soprano. She became one of the most famous singers of the late Victorian Era and the early 20th century...
in La bohème
La bohème
La bohème is an opera in four acts,Puccini called the divisions quadro, a tableau or "image", rather than atto . by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, based on Scènes de la vie de bohème by Henri Murger...
. The role he enjoyed most was David in Die Meistersinger.
He worked with conductors such as Sir John Barbirolli
John Barbirolli
Sir John Barbirolli, CH was an English conductor and cellist. Born in London, of Italian and French parentage, he grew up in a family of professional musicians. His father and grandfather were violinists...
, Sir Malcolm Sargent
Malcolm Sargent
Sir Harold Malcolm Watts Sargent was an English conductor, organist and composer widely regarded as Britain's leading conductor of choral works...
, Sir Thomas Beecham
Thomas Beecham
Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Baronet CH was an English conductor and impresario best known for his association with the London Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic orchestras. He was also closely associated with the Liverpool Philharmonic and Hallé orchestras...
and Sir Henry Wood
Henry Wood
Henry Wood was a British conductor.Henry Wood may also refer to:* Henry C. Wood , American Civil War Medal of Honor recipient* Henry Wood , English cricketer...
.
He sang extensively in America and later taught in Melbourne.
At one point he had a seven-year contract with His Master's Voice.
Browning Mummery also appeared as the solo tenor in the 1934 film, Evensong
Evensong (film)
Evensong is a 1934 British musical film directed by Victor Saville and starring Evelyn Laye, Fritz Kortner and Emlyn Williams. It is loosely based on the story of the singer Nellie Melba. It was also the first film of Alec Guinness.-Cast:...
with Evelyn Laye
Evelyn Laye
Evelyn Laye, CBE was an English theatre and film actress.-Early years and career:Born as Elsie Evelyn Lay in Bloomsbury, London, Laye made her first stage appearance in August 1915 at the Theatre Royal, Brighton as Nang-Ping in Mr...
.
When he retired he lived in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
ACT.