Durward Lely

Durward Lely (2 September 1852 – 29 February 1944) was a Scottish opera singer and actor primarily known as the creator of five tenor roles in Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operas, including Nanki-Poo in The Mikado.

After studying singing in Italy, Lely began his opera career in 1878, at Her Majesty's Theatre, as Don José in Carmen. After two years of touring in opera, he joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in 1880, soon becoming their leading tenor. He began there in the role of Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance and went on to create five roles in the famous series of Savoy operas. He remained with the company until 1887.

After this, Lely resumed a grand opera and concert career, appearing often with Adelina Patti, performing frequently at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and touring with the Carl Rosa Opera Company among others. Late in his career, he appeared in the 1911 film of Rob Roy. Lely outlived nearly all of the singers with whom he had performed at the Savoy Theatre.

James Durward Lyall was born in Arbroath, in the County of Angus, Scotland, the son of William Lyall. Lyall senior became factor of Blackcraig Castle near Blairgowrie. He studied singing as a boy. After attending local schools, Durward worked for a firm of solicitors in Blairgowrie. He sang with a local choral society, and a local patron of the arts, impressed by his voice, sent him for training in Milan. there, he studied and sang in opera for six years.

Lely made his professional British operatic debut in 1878 at Her Majesty's Theatre, under the name Signor Leli, and went on to appear as Don José in the British premiere of Bizet's Carmen at the same theatre and in first English translation of that opera there in 1879 with the Carl Rosa Opera Company opposite Selina Dolaro. While touring subsequently in Carmen with Emily Soldene's company, Lely became engaged to Alice Frances Hurndall, whom he married early in 1881. After two years on tour, including with the Mapleson Opera Company, he joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company at the Opera Comique. In November 1880, he replaced George Power in the leading tenor role of Frederic in the original London production of The Pirates of Penzance. At Arthur Sullivan's recommendation, he adopted the name of Durward Lely. Of his Frederic, The Times wrote, "His acting and enunciation of the words, with and without music, leave much to be desired.

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