In memory of Wagnerian bass-baritone Norman Bailey
16th September 2021 in News
All at ENO are saddened to hear of the death of the great bass-baritone Norman Bailey.
Famed for his Wagner roles, Norman made his debut with the company (then Sadler’s Wells Opera) as Count Almaviva in 1967’s The Marriage of Figaro and went on to give more hugely memorable performances, both at the ENO and on the international stage.
His Wotan in ENO’s 1970s Ring Cycle is still praised by our audiences to this day, and his other great roles for the ENO throughout the following decades include Dutchman (The Flying Dutchman), Hans Sachs (The Mastersingers of Nuremberg), Pizarro (Fidelio) and Count Gremin (Eugene Onegin).
His last role with the company was Father in the 1989-1990 production of Hansel and Gretel.
Our thoughts are with Norman’s family and friends. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all who worked with him.