Walter Passmore

Walter Henry Passmore (10 May 1867 – 29 August 1946) was an English singer and actor best known as the first successor to George Grossmith in the comic baritone roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operas with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company.

Passmore began performing professionally at the age of fourteen in the pantomime Cinderella. He was apprenticed to a piano maker and then worked as a pianist before returning to acting, making his London debut in 1890. In 1893 he joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, soon becoming the company's principal comedian. He created roles in the original productions of the last two Gilbert and Sullivan operas and in many other Savoy Operas. He played the patter roles in several Gilbert and Sullivan revivals, and he toured for the company.

In 1903 Passmore left the company and began a career in musical comedies, plays and pantomimes in the West End and on tour that lasted for thirty years. His West End appearances included roles in such productions as The Earl and the Girl (1903), The Talk of the Town (1905). He often appeared on stage with his second wife, Agnes Fraser.

Birth and Death Data: Born May 10, 1867, Died August 29, 1946

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1911 - 1913

Roles Represented in DAHR: baritone vocal

Notes: Sometimes sub-credited as "The famous Savoyard."

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 6218 12-in. approximately 1911 Like a ghost Robert Howe ; Walter Passmore Male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 6219 12-in. approximately 1911 When I was a lad Walter Passmore Male vocal solo, with orchestra and chorus vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 6220 12-in. approximately 1911 I have a song to sing o Hilda Francis ; Walter Passmore Male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 6221 12-in. approximately 1911 Tit willow Walter Passmore Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 6263 12-in. approximately 1912 Oh, a private buffoon Walter Passmore Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 6264 12-in. approximately 1912 Dream song Walter Passmore Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 6315 12-in. approximately 1913 King Neptune Walter Passmore Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 6316 12-in. approximately 1913 Judge's song Walter Passmore Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 6317 12-in. approximately 1913 The criminal cried Carrie Herwin ; Robert Howe ; Walter Passmore Vocal trio, with orchestra and chorus vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 6318 12-in. approximately 1913 Here's a how-de-do Hilda Francis ; Edward James ; Walter Passmore Vocal trio, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 27828 10-in. approximately 1912 The sorcerer : My name is John Wellington Wells Walter Passmore vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 27829 10-in. approximately 1912 Pirates of Penzance : The policeman’s song Walter Passmore vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 27830 10-in. approximately 1912 The gondoliers : No possible doubt whatever Walter Passmore vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 27831 10-in. approximately 1912 The Mikado : The flowers that bloom in the spring Walter Passmore vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28585 10-in. approximately 1913 Merrie England : The big brass band Walter Passmore vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28586 10-in. approximately 1913 Patience : When I go out of doors Walter Passmore vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28587 10-in. approximately 1913 Patience : Am I alone? Walter Passmore vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 28588 10-in. approximately 1913 Merrie England : Perhaps you don’t imagine Walter Passmore vocalist, baritone vocal  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Passmore, Walter," accessed May 1, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/353471.

Passmore, Walter. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 1, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/353471.

"Passmore, Walter." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 1 May 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/353471

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