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Thomas Round comes from Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire. He was a war-time pilot, and for a time flying instructor in the United States Air Force at Terrell, Texas. He has had a full and varied career, playing roles in opera, operetta, and musical shows in London and throughout the country, and was also well known on the concert platform and in oratorio and recitals. He was frequently heard on B.B.C. radio, and his T.V. performances include several operas. He has made recordings with both Decca and E.M.I.
He joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in 1946 and for 3 years he was principal tenor in Gilbert and Sullivan operas prior to singing opera roles at Sadler's Wells from 1952 to 1958. He scored a personal success as Count Danilo in The Merry Widow, both at Sadler's Wells and at the London Coliseum, where he appeared in the Royal Command Performance in 1958. He returned to the fold in 1958 and played every principal role within his vocal range with the exception of three - the Duke in 'Patience". Leonard in "The Yeomen of the Guard" and Box.
In July, 1962, he played Colonel Fairfax in The Yeomen of the Guard in the highly successful Festival of London production at the Tower of London. From August, 1962, to January, 1963, he toured the United States and Canada, coast to coast, as leading tenor with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company.
I understand that the roles he most enjoyed playing were those of Cyril and Dauntless. but every performance he gave showed the same vitality and zest.
Perhaps the song for which he is best known is "Take a pair of sparkling eyes", and one certainly has to admit that he could use his, on stage! His personality and charm have captivated many feminine hearts in audiences everywhere and was greatly missed by his many admirers when he left the company in 1964, playing a four-month tour of South Africa and on his return , in addition to broadcasting, his engagements included further appearances in the '"Gilbert and Sullivan For All" concerts, of which he was a director along with Donald Adams.
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