Henry Herford, a Scottish baritone, died at the age of 79. He was noted for the range of his artistic output, particularly his willingness to perform lesser-known operatic and vocal works alongside more traditional repertory.
Herford’s career began in 1977 when he joined the Glyndebourne Opera Chorus, where he appeared in small roles including productions of Cunning Little Vixen and The Magic Flute. He returned to Glyndebourne in 1981 and continued to perform with the company in subsequent years. Throughout his career, he appeared with Scottish Opera and made select appearances at major venues including Covent Garden. His operatic performances spanned more than 70 roles across Britain and Europe, with particular distinction in lesser-performed works by composers such as Gluck, Cesti, Milhaud, Debussy, Haydn, and Storace.
Beyond opera, Herford maintained an active career in song recordings and recitals. His discography included recordings of works by Charles Ives, 20th-century American composers, and an extensive compilation of Arthur Bliss songs released in 2000, which was praised by BBC Music Magazine. He also recorded selections of standard repertory including works by Vaughan Williams and Handel, and performed as a soloist with major British orchestras under conductors including Simon Rattle and John Eliot Gardiner. He appeared at the BBC Proms on three occasions.
In addition to performing, Herford taught at the Royal Northern College of Music, Birmingham Conservatoire, and the Royal College of Music in London. He and his wife Lindsay founded the Abingdon Summer School for Solo Singers, which began in 1999 and operated until disrupted by the pandemic. Herford is survived by his wife and three children, two of whom became professional singers.
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