Lot Essay
Edward Lloyd (1845-1927), Singer, was born in Kennington, London. As a child, he sang in the choir of Westminster Abbey before being promoted to solo tenor at the St. James's Chapel Royal. Lloyd later left the choir to perform in popular works and, in the 1870s, he sang Bach's 'Passion' at the Gloucester Festival to a greatly admiring public. Lloyd became established and successful in his profession thereafter and sang in concerts all over the world. He had a highly successful concert and oratorio career that lasted over thirty years and he sang in the world premiere of Elgar's 'Dream of Gerontius' in 1900, the year of his retirement.
He has come to be looked upon as the first of English tenors. He may not be all that Sims Reeves was; but his artistic excellence is so complete that he can command higher terms for a song than any other English rival. He is growing fat.
Vanity Fair, 'Men of the Day', No. 541, 1892.
He has come to be looked upon as the first of English tenors. He may not be all that Sims Reeves was; but his artistic excellence is so complete that he can command higher terms for a song than any other English rival. He is growing fat.
Vanity Fair, 'Men of the Day', No. 541, 1892.