Sir Charles Santley

Sir Charles Santley (28 February 1834 – 22 September 1922) was an English opera and oratorio singer with a bravura technique who became the most eminent English baritone and male concert singer of the Victorian era. His has been called 'the longest, most distinguished and most versatile vocal career which history records.'

Santley appeared in many major opera and oratorio productions in Great Britain and North America, giving numerous recitals as well. Having made his debut in Italy in 1857 after undertaking vocal studies in that country, he elected to base himself in England for the remainder of his life, apart from occasional trips overseas. One of the highlights of his stage career occurred in 1870 when he led the cast in the first Wagner opera to be performed in London, The Flying Dutchman, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Santley retired from opera during the 1870s in order to concentrate on the lucrative concert circuit.

Santley also wrote books on vocal technique and two sets of memoirs.

Birth and Death Data: Born February 28, 1834 (Liverpool), Died September 22, 1922 (London)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1911 - 1912

Roles Represented in DAHR: baritone vocal

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 6113 12-in. approximately 1911 Simon the cellarer Sir Charles Santley Male vocal solo, with piano vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 6114 12-in. approximately February 1911 The rosary Sir Charles Santley Male vocal solo, with piano vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 6115 12-in. approximately 1911 Father O'Flynn Sir Charles Santley Male vocal solo, with piano vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 6283 12-in. approximately 1912 To Anthea Sir Charles Santley Male vocal solo, with piano vocalist, baritone vocal  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Santley, Charles, Sir," accessed November 9, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/357054.

Santley, Charles, Sir. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/357054.

"Santley, Charles, Sir." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 9 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/357054

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