17 Facts About Peter Glossop

Peter Glossop was an English baritone who was the only Englishman to have sung Verdi's great tragic baritone roles at La Scala, Milan.

Peter Glossop rose from humble beginnings in Yorkshire to become a leading performer in London and in the major opera houses of Europe and America.

Peter Glossop was born in the Wadsley suburb of Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, the son of Cyril Glossop, a manager at a cutlery factory.

Peter Glossop studied locally with Joseph Hislop and Eva Rich and was a finalist in the 1952 Great Caruso Contest.

Peter Glossop joined the chorus of Sadler's Wells Opera the same year and continued his studies with Leonard Mosley.

Peter Glossop was singing minor roles for the company, and his first professional role was Morales in Carmen in 1953.

In 1961 Glossop won the gold medal at the International Operatic Competition in Sofia and was engaged by the Royal Opera House.

In 1964 Peter Glossop won the Verdi gold medal at Parma following his great success at the Parma Opera as Rigoletto.

In June 1968 Peter Glossop was picked by Herbert von Karajan to sing the role of Tonio in his film of the opera Pagliacci.

Peter Glossop succeeded so well that Karajan chose him to sing Iago in his new production at the Salzburg Festival in 1970.

Peter Glossop's career continued into the mid-1980s with appearances in London and the main European and American opera houses.

In 2004 Peter Glossop published his autobiography The Story of a Yorkshire Baritone.

In 1955 Peter Glossop married Joyce Blackham, an operatic soprano.

Peter Glossop decided to retire in 1986 following a performance as Sharpless in Madama Butterfly in Los Angeles.

Peter Glossop was made an honorary doctor of music by Sheffield University.

Peter Glossop was passionately interested in jazz and compiled a large collection of Dixieland jazz records.

Peter Glossop is survived by two daughters from his second marriage.