Sir Geraint Evans

One of the world's greatest opera singers.

Born:

1922 - 1992

Place of Birth:

Cilfynydd

"There are audiences for opera at any age from nine to 90, and if one can but open a door for them to enter the world of infinite delight that its been for me, then I will know its all been worthwhile" Sir Geraint Evans Sir Geraint Evans

Trivia:

Sir Geraint Evans was born in the same small street in Cilfynydd as former Principal of University of Wales Aberystwyth Gareth Owen, former Home Secretary Merlyn Rees and tenor Stuart Burrows. His wife was also born there!

Biography:

Geraint Evans was born in William Street, Cilfynydd, near Pontypridd, in 1922 and, though his work took him around the globe, he had a home in Aberaeron in Ceredigion for more than 30 years.

He was surrounded by music from birth. His father ran the Pontypridd Male Voice Choir and his mother, who died when he was a boy, was also a singer. The young Geraint was a talented pianist and violinist, and also sang in local productions.

He left school at 14 and got a job as a window-dresser in a ladies clothes shop in Pontypridd. He carried on performing as an amateur until the outbreak of the Second World War.

Evans originally joined the RAF but ended up in the music department of the British Forces Network, performing regularly on the radio. The Austrian bass singer Theo Hermann heard him and gave him lessons.

It was through Hermann's contacts that Geraint Evans got an audition at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, on his return.

He joined the company in 1947, and after starting in smaller roles he quickly progressed to perform Figaro when he was only 26. Many other character baritone roles soon followed, and with them his increasing fame. Many consider his greatest role to be that of Verdi's Falstaff which he sang in opera houses across the world, complete with 30 lbs of foam padding!

Other favourites included Don Pasquale, Figaro, Beckmesser, Leporello and Dulcamara.

La Scala Debut
Another defining moment came in 1960 when Evans was asked to perform Figaro at La Scala in Milan, under the baton of the great Herbert von Karajan. He was the first British singer to have performed at La Scala in 35 years.

In March 1964, he travelled to New York for another debut - this time at The Met, in a production of Falstaff directed by Zeffirelli. The conductor was Leonard Bernstein and the audience response was phenomenal.

Vienna and Salzburg, San Francisco and Buenos Aires beckoned and, at a time when air travel was rather less common than today, Geraint Evans became one of the very first international opera star jet-setters.

He married Brenda, a schoolteacher who was also born in William Street, Cilfynydd. They lived mainly in London but 1960s, they also bought a holiday home in Aberaeron in Ceredigion, where Sir Geraint could pursue one of his favourite pastimes - sailing.

Aberaeron Retreat
Geraint Evans started to retire in 1982 - and during the extended period of farewell performances he was diagnosed as diabetic. This forced him to make major changes to his lifestyle, although he continued to perform occasionally until around 1984 when he made his last appearance at Covent Garden in Donizettis L'Elisir D'Amore.

With his wife Brenda, he moved permanently to Aberaeron after retiring but he was still very active - he published his autobiography A Knight At The Opera in 1984 and carried on as a director of HTV Wales which he'd helped found in 1967.

He also gave masterclasses and continued to sail his yacht "Y Marchog" ("The Knight"). He became High Sheriff of Cardiganshire - a ceremonial role complete with a costume that could have come straight out of the costume department of one of his beloved opera houses.

Geraint Evans died in 1992 and on the day of his funeral, hundreds of mourners lined the streets of Aberaeron to pay their last respects to one of the world's great opera singers.

your comments

Alan Hopwood London
I was in the Edith Cavel school choir in 1960 to 63 that sang in many operas at covent garden. Our music teacher was Mr Blackley.I had the good fortune to have sung with Sir Geraint in La boheme in 1960. He was Pape nel the toy seller and had to slap me round the ear (gently )for stealing a toy from his toy stall. My ear still stings today!

Moreen, Southway, Neath
How to get a recording of Sir Geraint Evans singing 'Y Marchog' which I saw on television. I believe it was around the time of his retirement. Grateful for any help.

Richard Gair from Kilrush, Ireland
Message for Sandra Pegi in Canada.My mother, Pegi Thomas, was cousin to Lady Brenda and her siblings, Marian and Glyn (who played outside half for Wales before Cliff Morgan took his place!) Marian's son, David, is currently compiling a family history and "tree" of the family.I am sure that he will be delighted to be in contact with you and he will be visiting my home early in September. I will show him your messages and refer him to you. Good luck.

Sandra Pegi from Canada
This message is for Richard Gair. That is the first time I have seen Pegi written like my mothers and my name. My mother was a warbride, and told us many stories of Geraint, allun and herself singing together in the chapel where she lived. My mothers maiden name was Thomas. I would love to know how we are related to Geraint and Allun. I did meet Geraint and Brenda in 91, and had a wonderful visit in their home. Richard I would love to hear from you.

Richard Gair, from Kilrush, Ireland
My mother, Pegi Gair nee Thomas of 4 Jones Street, Cilfynydd, was cousin to Lady Brenda. Geraint's brother, Allun,was killed in action at Caen just after D-Day and was to be my Dad! I still have photos of him.Little was ever stated about Geraint's role in keeping the London Welsh Male Voice Choir going at a time of spectacular difficulties amongst important personalities which involved the utmost tact so apparently easily displayed by him. Older members of that choir stll talk of him with reverence for both his talents and his role at hat most difficult time.

Jel from Brussels
Geraint really rather hated fuss - I got to know Brenda quite well in my teens in the late 60s and early 70s, as she used to do the week's wash in the local launderette at the same time I usually did (on Sundays, os gwelwch yn dda!) - another habituee was the wife of Ivor Spencer, the toastmaster, although Ivor's East-end roots meant he always overcompensated for a certain inferiority complex. Geraint and Brenda not infrequently borrowed my brother to help with the gardening.

Sue Tweddle, Canada
I don't think really this is the place to do this but I have tried everything else though you never know! I am looking for a friend of my Mothers, who was a second cousin of Geraint Evans! Her name is now Wendy Mason! If Anyone can help please let me know! I have been looking for a long time. They went to school together in Bromley and it would be such a treat if I could find her for my Mum! Thanks

Carmarthen
OMG! Sir Geraint Evans was one of my ancestors. From my Grandads side David Jones who married Delyth. Watched him on S4C the other day my nan phoned me saying everything. Cant belive it lol <3 a truly talented opera singer XxX

Sandra Pegi from Canada
This message is for Liz Roberts. I was very excited to read your message. Geraint's aunty you refer to was my gandmother Averina Thomas, caretaker of the chapel. Did you ever know my mother Pegi Thomas. She was a warbride, and came to Canada. I search my family history, but cannot find the conection between Geraint and my grandmother, who was Averina Evans. Love to hear from you

Liz Roberts (now from Cheshire)
I grew up in South London,of Welsh parentage,and attended a Welsh chapel in Lewisham.Sir Geraint was a member there and would occasionally attend services as it was his nearest chapel,and his wonderful voice would be heard singing along with the rest of the congregation. His Aunty(Mrs Thomas as I knew her,but I think her name was Albina or something exotic)lived at the chapel house,and was the caretaker.She had a wonderful(untrained) contralto voice and occasionally at chapel concerts or Eisteddfodau,would sing a duet with Geraint.What a treat! When Geraint first started to perform at Glyndebourne,a party from the chapel would go down to support him.Quite a few of the Evans clan lived in London and came to Lewisham chapel including Goronwy and Dan,(cousins I think )He seemed to be a very genuine and modest man,who kept close to his roots and seemed totally unaffected by fame and fortune.It is a great pity that he did not live to enjoy a longer retirement in his beloved Mid Wales.A lovely and very talented man.What an extraordinary street in Cilfynydd to produce so much talent and fame!

Carol Parvin From Portsmouth
Hi There!Sir Geraint Evans was also my mother's cousin.The Evans family lived in Gilfach,Rhondda.

Marian Fox from Norwich
I am tracing family history and my mother was also born in Cilfynydd and I also spent my childhood there, she met Geraint evans when she lived in Rhyl and he was appearing there. I would dearly love to get hold of a copy of his autobiography, which I have had trouble locating as it is quite old now.

Sandra Pegi from Canada
This message is for Sandra Thomas. My mother grew up with Geraint and his brother. She was a war bride and came to Canada. Mum visited Geraint in 1991. They both passed away in 1995. We grew up knowing all of our Welsh relatives through mum. We knew that somehow we are related to him, but do not know how. I research my ancestors, and would love to know our connection. Could you or your father help us out.

Sandra Thomas, Oswestry
Geraint Evans was my father, William Thomas' first cousin but to me he was uncle. The first time I saw him preforming was at Coventry in Aida. I was 8yrs old,when we went back stage I didn't recognise him in full costume, and cried with disappiointment because I thought he wasn't there. Once he started singing to me I knew who he was. He was a kind gentle man and much missed.

Alan Jones from Blaencwm, Treherbert
I grew up in a little village called Ciliau Aeron which is about 4 miles from Aberaeron. Geraint Evans used to buy wood from the local woodcutter living in the village and I remember on several occasions when I used to wait for the school bus, that Geraint would speed along in his Rolls to the woodcutter and fill his boot up with logs for his fire at home. Even though he was a famed international opera star, this showed how down to earth he was.

John H, Premilhat,France
Sir Geraint lived in my home town, Petts Wood, for nearly twenty years and I was surprised how relatively modestly he lived. True, he had a largish house but he mostly travelled up to London by train or in his not especially new Mercedes. He was the only musician I dared to ask for an autograph and I have been kicking myself ever since for not finding anything intelligent to say. That was after "Wozzeck" - which sums up all his greatness as a singer, actor and human being. Of course, he was wonderful in the Mozart roles too and in "Falstaff" and "Meistersinger" - the latter two with Solti. What a partnership!

Sandra Pegi , Alberta Canada
My mother was a Welsh War Bride. She always told us about her cousin Geraint Evans, his brother (I believe) Allun. The 3 of them sang many times together before the war. Allun went off to war and was killed in action. I had the most wonderful opportunity to meet Geraint and his wife in 1991 and have a wonderful meal and visit at his home with them. My mother passed away in 1995. Sad that I never asked how she was related to Geraint. I now do family research, and am most interested in him. My mother was Pegi Pari Thomas. Her mother was Averina Evans.

John F Harold, Chicago, IL
Sir Geraint was truly a normal person. "Where do you go for beer?" was a question. He liked his beer! John

Rhian McLean, South London
Geraint Evans was my mother's uncle, making him my Great Uncle!! I can't ever recall meeting him, but my mother speaks extremely fondly of him. We have some home video footage and one thing I can say is that he had the most enchanting smile. And funnily enough, my sister and I are both actresses and we both sing...so we must have inherited that gene!!

Nick from Shrewsbury
I would be interested in any available BBC Wales televsion recordings of Geraint Evans (pre- Sir) with him singing with my Aunt Kathleen Williams. Her sister and my mother asked me to check the internet for Tros-y-carreg a tv recording made in the 60s I believe. Are these recordings still in existence and if so can they be made available?

Could you email us with your request Nick? Our address is wales.mid@bbc.co.uk - Thanks, Mid Wales Web Team.

Hayley Davies from Southport
Dear Susie Evans
I came across you by looking up about Geraint Evans on the internet. The reason for writing to you is to let you know that my Mother was Geraint's second cousin - Olva Conway nee Edwards and was wondering if you had a nice picture of him , that you could possibly send me? Thank you, Mrs H Davies

Message for Susie. If you'd like to get in touch with Hayley Davies, email us at wales.mid@bbc.co.uk. Mid Wales Web Team

Susie Evans from Sevenoaks, Kent
Geraint Evans was my father-in-law. Funnily enough, I was 9 when I first met him (and his son who I married when I was 24!). Geraint introduced me to opera, although my family were reasonably musical anyway. Through Geraint I learnt to appreciate opera, so I know from experience that what he said is true - I just hope that I live to be 90 as well!

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