Person Open DS/UK/12042 Kells; Iris (31 January 1923-10 August 2016); English soprano Kells Iris 31 January 1923-10 August 2016 English soprano Female Iris Victoria Kells Pachmarhi, India (born)

English Musician; Singer, soprano White Spouse of Stephen Arlen (MD of Sadler's Wells Opera) Former spouse of Leonard Hancock (conductor) Heterosexual Iris Kells was an English operatic soprano. She played leading roles in the 1960s at Sadler's Wells Opera. In 1949 she joined the chorus of the Royal Opera. She was in the premiere in 1951 of The Pilgrim's Progress, by Vaughan Williams, as the Woodcutter's Boy. She played other small singing roles; she was of small stature, and was often cast as a child or animal. Looking elsewhere, she performed in concert and oratorio. In 1958 she took part in the first recording of the opera Peter Grimes, by Benjamin Britten, in the role of Second Niece. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_Kells (2021) International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) 2nd edition - ICA 2004 ISBN 2-9521932-2-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 Yes RAHdroberts 2/3/2014 Rachael.Fragola 3/1/2022 78afb839-258f-40a9-8185-77957e95ea12