Derek Hammond-Stroud

Derek Hammond-Stroud, OBE (10 January 1926 – 14 May 2012) was an English baritone opera singer best known for his performances of German lieder and his international performances in opera, particularly the roles of Alberich in Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen, Herr Faninal in Der Rosenkavalier and Beckmesser in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. He also made recordings, including a series of recordings of the Gilbert and Sullivan patter roles.

Born in London, Hammond-Stroud was educated at the Salvatorian College, Harrow and studied optometry at Northampton Institute, graduating in 1949. He then studied voice at Trinity College of Music in London and abroad with Elena Gerhardt and Gerhard Hüsch.

His concert debut was in 1955, with the UK premiere of Joseph Haydn's L'anima del filosofo (also known as Orfeo ed Euridice) at the St Pancras Festival. Hammond-Stroud made his lieder recital debut in 1956 at the Wigmore Hall, accompanied by Gerald Moore. His stage debut came in 1957 as Publio in La Clemenza di Tito. With Sadler's Wells Opera, his roles included Papageno in The Magic Flute, Dr. Bartolo in Il barbiere di Siviglia and Melitone in Forza del Destino. There, he was also noted for his superb comic acting and fine diction in several Gilbert and Sullivan roles, including Ko-Ko in The Mikado.

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