Below is a link to Bailey as Hans Sachs, in Mastersingers (a role he recorded for Decca in Vienna under Solti), here sung in English, conducted by Reginald Goodall on Feb 10, 1968, at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London.
Sad news: bass-baritone Norman Bailey, especially associated with Wagnerian roles, has died at the age of 88.
I think I attended Norman’s Feb 10 1968 Wagner opera. I certainly remember his singing in Wagner from that era, a golden ENO period never to be forgotten.
His passing is not only very sad but it surely closes a tradition established for singing Wagner in English allowing audiences to expand and explore the delight of being able to enter Wagner’s world in our vernacular before subtitles !!
and let’s not forget all those Germans who flocked to London to hear Wagner in English – in order (reputedly) to understand finally what was being sung… doubtless apocryphal but I love the story.
But yes, for sure, along with Alberto Remedios, another end of an era. RIP and live on in recordings.