author
Ben Davies
1858–1943
A leading Welsh tenor of the late Victorian and Edwardian years, he moved easily between opera, operetta, concert work, and oratorio. Admired for his clear, expressive singing, he became one of Britain’s best-known tenors of his day.
1 Audiobook
How to Become a Successful Singer
by Dame Clara Butt, Enrico Caruso, Ben Davies, Dame Nellie Melba
About the author
Born in Pontardawe, Wales, in 1858, Ben Davies showed musical promise very early and later studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He built his reputation in the 1880s, singing with the Carl Rosa Opera Company and appearing in works such as The Bohemian Girl before widening his career into operetta and major concert work.
Davies became especially celebrated on the British concert and oratorio stage, where he was often spoken of as a successor to the great English tenor Edward Lloyd. His repertoire ranged from opera to Handel festivals and popular light music, and his career also took him beyond Britain, including performances in America and Australia.
He lived long enough to be remembered as a link to an earlier style of British singing, combining theatrical charm with a strong reputation as a concert artist. He died in 1943, leaving behind a career that reflects the rich musical life of Britain at the turn of the twentieth century.