Robert Tear Vinyl Records

Robert Tear (1939-2011) was a Welsh operatic tenor and conductor. He was one of the leading lyric tenors of his generation, particularly noted for his performances of the works of Benjamin Britten. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music and later the National Opera Studio, and in 1962 won the John Christie Award, the Royal Philharmonic Society Prize and the Kathleen Ferrier Memorial Award.

Tear recorded extensively throughout his career, with highlights including his collaborations with the English Chamber Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Standout albums include the 1966 recording of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, conducted by Raymond Leppard; the 1967 recording of Schubert’s song cycle Die schöne Müllerin, with pianist Dalton Baldwin; and the 1971 recording of Britten’s War Requiem, conducted by Benjamin Britten.

In addition to his operatic and vocal performances, Tear was also an accomplished conductor, appearing with numerous orchestras and ensembles throughout his career. He was also noted for his performances of British composers such as Ralph Vaughan Williams and Hubert Parry.

An interesting fact about Robert Tear is that he was the first artist to receive the Royal Philharmonic Society Prize, in 1962. This award is given to individuals for outstanding achievement in the field of classical music.