Thomas Round
Tom Round outside the Opera House just prior to the presentation of awards 22nd August 2004.
What a wonderful gentleman he is!
Tom Round singing at the 7th G&S International Festival - August 2000 - Buxton
Tom was born on 18 Oct 1915
As many are aware, our favourite G&S professional is Thomas Round. Not only is he a dedicated singer and actor in the true G&S/D'Oyly Carte tradition, but he is a superb individual who has time for mere mortals such as us. This is backed up by his regular appearances at the G&S Festivals at Buxton.
Tom Round with Kenneth Sandford at Buxton Festival - August 2000
Thomas Round now lives in the Lake District. He was a policeman in Lancaster until he was called up during the second world war. He was a war-time pilot, and for a time flying instructor in the United States Air Force at Terrell, Texas.
He has had a full and varied career, playing roles in opera, operetta, and musical shows in London and throughout the country.
He joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in 1946 and for 3 years he was principal tenor in Gilbert and Sullivan operas.
Tom sang opera roles at Sadler's Wells from 1952 to 1958.
He returned to the "Carte" in 1958.
In July, 1962, he played Colonel Fairfax in The Yeomen of the Guard in the highly successful Festival of London production at the Tower of London.
From August 1962 to
January 1963 he toured the United States and Canada as leading tenor with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company.
The role he most enjoys playing is Dick Dauntless but all his performances show the same vitality and zest.
The song for which he is best known is "Take a pair of sparkling eyes".
His personality and charm have captivated many feminine hearts in audiences everywhere and was greatly missed by his many admirers when he left the company in
1964. He then appeared in the '"Gilbert and Sullivan For All" concerts, of which he was a director along with Donald Adams.
It was during one of these "Gilbert & Sullivan For All" concerts that we first saw Tom. This was my introduction to the world of G&S. I have much to thank him for!!
Even now he "lives" the parts as we observed whilst he was watching some of the productions from the middle of the dress circle.
His performance in Cox & Box along with Michael Rayner and Gareth Jones was one of the highlights of the 1999 festival.
