Forbes Robinson


Peter Forbes Robinson was a British bass, born in Macclesfield, best known for his performances in works by Mozart, Verdi, and Britten.

Career

He created the title role in Michael Tippett's King Priam. His recordings include the Philips recording with Sir Colin Davis of Britten's Peter Grimes, as Swallow; he may also be heard in a live 1972 recording of Arthur Bliss's The Olympians, in which he plays Joseph Lavatte. He sang the part of Géronte de Ravoir in Manon Lescaut on UK television in 1983.
According to Grove, he studied at the training school of La Scala, Milan and joined the Covent Garden Opera company in 1954, singing Monterone in Verdi's Rigoletto, which he was still singing in the 1970s, among 60 roles he undertook with the company. He created Claggart in Britten's Billy Budd. In 1966 he sang at the Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires. He sang extensively for Welsh National Opera, roles including King Philip in Verdi's Don Carlo, Mozart's Don Giovanni, the title role in Boris Godunov and Fiesco in Verdi's Simon Boccanegra.Grove says he had "a dark, expressive voice, evenly produced and capable of subtle characterization." In 1967 he made a recording of Handel arias on Argo Eclipse with the Academy of St Martin-in-the -Fields cond. Philip Ledger. It is said that he had a considerable rivalry with Welsh bass-baritone Geraint Evans.

Private life

He was born in Macclesfield and died in London. He married in 1952.

Discography