Derek Hammond-Stroud Dies at 86

The English opera singer Derek Hammond-Stroud has passed away. He was 86. Probably best known for his performances of German lieder, he was also famed for his interpretations of Gilbert and Sullivan as well tackling heavyweight roles such as Alberich (The Ring) and Faninal (Der Rosenkavalier).

Born in London in 1926, Hammond-Stroud studied voice at Trinity College before studying abroad with Leider singers Elena Gerhardt and Gerhard Hüsch. He made his concert debut in 1955 performing in Haydn's Orfeo ed Euridice before making his stage debut two years later in La Clemenza di Tito.

His subsequent operatic engagements took him around the world and he performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Munich State Opera and the Netherlands Opera among others.

Hammond-Stroud was made an Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Music in 1976. Six years later, Trinity College of Music made him an Honorary Fellow. He was made an OBE in 1987.