Code | DS/UK/9738 |
Name | Bailey; Norman (23 March 1933); CBE; English bass-batione singer |
Variations of Name | Norman Stanley Bailey |
Dates | 23 March 1933-15 September 2021 |
Gender | Male (cisgender) |
Place of Birth/Origin | Birmingham, England (born) |
Relationships | Spouse of Kristine Ciesinski (American soprano) Former spouse of Doreen Simpson (choir singer) Brother-in-law of Katherine Ciesinski (mezzo-soprano) and Mark Powell (conductor) |
Biography | Norman Bailey CBE was a British operatic bass-baritone who appeared in leading roles in major opera venues. After an early career in Austria and Germany, he settled in England and was associated with the English National Opera. One of his signature roles was Hans Sachs in Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, which he performed at La Scala in Milan in 1968 and at the Bayreuth Festival the following year. Later that year he was called upon at the last minute to play the part at the Royal Opera House in London when Hubert Hoffman had to pull out with a sore throat. He also played this part in his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in 1976. |