It's just been announced that Robert Tear has died, aged 72. Above one of his signature performances, from Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings (Alan Civil, Neville Marriner). Although Tear's career stretched to Mozart, Janáček and Henze, English music was his forte. A generation younger than Peter Pears and a contemporary of Philip Langridge who passed away almost exactly one year ago, Tear was active when Britten, Tippett, and the Manchester School were in their prime. I remember what proved to be his last London recital. I think he was doing it as a favour for someone as the pianist was awful and wouldn't have been able to do solo. There wasn't much left of his voice but he proved his mettle, charming the audience aimably, so they'd go home happy. Please see this informed obituary.
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