WILLIAM SAMUELL
(MACKWORTH TERRACE, ST THOMAS, SWANSEA, 1885 – LONDON, 1916)
He studied singing under Frederick King and made his debut in 1911 as
Dapertutto in Les contes d'Hoffmann by J. Offenbach.
William Samuel! (1885-1916), a Swansea baritone with a fine technique,
won favourable notice in all three operas. A suspicion of overacting
disappeared when he assumed the title-role in Rigoletto, a part he had essayed
in Australia after joining Quinlan in 1911. In 1914 Henry Russell, director of
the Boston Opera Company, gave him a contract; but war saw the demise of both
company and singer, Samuell dying suddenly from typhoid in early 1916. His
London Rigoletto was as warmly received as that in Australia. World's critic
thought the inclusion of this opera a bold experiment, since it was usually
thought dependent 'on a strong star cast' (11 May 1915). But star opera,
foregrounding singer rather than character, was in abeyance during the war, and
the result was largely gain. Samuell shaded raw vitality with tenderness,
catching the softer side of the character as well as 'the stress and agony of
his tortured soul'. In projecting the tragedy of an abused father he excited
comparison with the celebrated Battistini by his vibrant singing and 'rare
command of tone-colour'.'' But there was no question of imitation. Frederic
King, who had taught Samuel! at the Royal Academy of Music, and had the
advantage over him of having seen 'the greatest Italian exponents of the part',
found the 'old Italian tricks and traditions ... swept aside' in favour of a
brilliant display of singing acting.
British Theatre in the Great War: A Revaluation: Gordon Williams
TRACKLIST
Hérodiade
(Massenet): Divine volupté... Vision fugitive 2-032019 Ho1036ac HMV, London 1915-09-10
Rigoletto
(Verdi): Dear child, recall not (w. d'Argel) 04140 Ho1154ac HMV, London
1915-10-25
Rigoletto
(Verdi): Gilda, Gilda, my daughter (w. d'Argel) 04141 Ho1155ac HMV, London
1915-10-25
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