Glyndebourne has called off tonight’s performance of Dvorak’s Rusalka in Norwich after the death of Robert Poulton in a car accident last night.
Robert had been a stalwart of the leading UK companies – especially Glyndebourne, where he started in the chorus – throughout his career. He also appeared at Netherlands Opera‚ Opera Zuid‚ Gran Teatre del Liceu inPamplona and Valladolid, De Vlaamse, Adelaide Festival, Salzburger Landestheater, Nantes‚ Bremen‚ Copenhagen and Cologne.
He had been singing the role of Gamekeeper in Rusalka in the current Glyndebourne tour.
David Pickard, Glyndebourne’s General Director said: ‘The news of Robert’s death is devastating for his family – and for all of us at Glyndebourne who have so valued him over many years. It is testament to Robert’s generous character and amazing musicianship that he had such a distinguished operatic career, not just at Glyndebourne but also at many of the leading international houses. Our thoughts at this time are with Robert’s family, to whom we extend our deepest sympathy.’
Here is a sample of his work:
Rob Poulton was simply one of the most delightful people I’ve ever met anywhere and I’m devastated to learn of his untimely death. When a cast-list was sent out and Rob’s name appeared on it you could breathe a sigh of relief. Whatever the director or conductor might throw at you, whichever diva was going to give everyone a hard time, Rob would ensure that the experience was going to be entertaining and memorable. ‘Er, extraordinary,’ was one of his catchphrases, borrowed from his anti-hero, the sports commentator David Coleman. By the end of any given run, all of the cast were quoting it.
Though most of my work with Rob was at Opera North, it was while working on ‘A Love for Three Oranges’ for Opera Zuid in Maastricht that we got to know each other best. I can visualise us now, drinking in the bar opposite the ancient Onze Lieve Vrouw, analysing a cast as bizarre as the characters we were portraying, but always, in his case at least, with wit and humour. Rob was incapable of being dull. Tragedy had struck that time too. Our colleague Paul Harrhy, whose appearance and behaviour had been worrying us all, turned out to be in the final throes of AIDS and died within weeks of the show finishing after being sent home from Israel. Paul was another fantastic man and colleague. I find it hard to believe that Rob’s gone too.
He was a terrific stage animal, the voice was one of real quality and I’m glad I got to see him sing the role of Don Carlos so well for Chelsea Opera Group in their recent performance of Forza on the South Bank. Afterwards we talked about meeting in the near future. To know that will never happen now leaves me with a sense of desolation. The world, and not just that of opera, has lost one of its finest people. He whom the gods love dies young, said the Greeks. Oh that they hadn’t loved him quite so much. RIP Rob. We will all miss you terribly. My heartfelt condolences go out to Pippa and the kids.
i remember the Opera Zuid well as it was one of my first jobs out of Antwerp, he was such a lovely man so sad.
Norman, this is so terrible. That clip you posted of Vixen was from the production I did with him in Amsterdam with Richard Jones. Rob was always so concerned about getting it really right. He worked so hard, because he loved it so much. And he was always so positive. Loving all his colleagues. And always with that smile. It is just devastating…
This is tragic news. I sang with Robert at Grange Park in 2004, and was privileged to witness his sparkling performance in Cenerentola from the wings. He was a lovely man and a fine actor and singer; the world is a darker place without him. RIP.
I am so very sorry to hear this news. I was at the Guildhall with Rob – and Philippa – and have been fortunate enough to have worked with him over the years. He was a lovely, gentle, generous man and such a wonderful artist. He will be missed by everyone lucky enough to have known him, and my heart goes out to Philippa and the children. Dear Rob, RIP.
A lovely, warm-hearted, funny and generous colleague, and a fantastic singing- actor who it was always a delight to work with. I’m so sorry to hear this tragic news. We had such fun working on Meistersinger at Glyndebourne last year, and the tennis matches were almost as epic! Deepest sympathy and condolences to his family.
The thought that Rob is not with us anymore is unbearable. What a great human being and great artist he was. He ranks amongst the five greatest singer-actors i know. Memorable experiences we had together in Amsterdam. He sang two title roles in productions i directed: Gassir the hero by Theo Loevendie and Punch in Punch and Judy by Harrison Birtwistle. He was a man of total integrity who invested a huge energy and commitment in anything he did. His lovely sense of humour was hugely enjoyable and he knew how to be serious and intense on stage while understanding always the comic dimension of a character and situation. My thought are with his family and all of us who knew him well are united by deep sadness and a desperate feeling of loss.
A wonderful tribute. Thank you. He talked to me a lot about that Punch in Amsterdam. I so wish I’d seen it.
This is a terrible shock. As company manager of Opera Zuid in Maastricht I had the honour to work with Robert twice, in l’Amour des Trois Oranges and in Don Giovanni. One of the nicest, warmest persons I ever met…
Terrible news. I am shocked. Such a nice man, a wonderful artist with a god given voice. Recently we were together in the cast of the Cunning little Vixen in Amsterdam. His voice went right to your soul. May he rest in peace.
Deeply saddened by the news of Rob Poulton’s death last night. A wonderful man and artist who was loved by all. I will keep particularly lovely memories of his amazing work on Golaud at Glyndebourne in 1999… A very difficult role… Typically, Rob worked so hard and so well that a French member of the audience addressed him in French after the show thinking he was completely fluent…. It made him laugh! Such a lovely man and so committed, the kind of singer one loves having in a cast and who makes our work in the business really worthwhile. Thank you Rob. My thoughts go to his family.
Such awful news. Saw Rob so many times over the years in big and supporting roles. He always gave his all and was a great company member
I feel privileged to have had Rob as both a colleague and friend, and also got to know him well on that memorable Opera Zuid tour of L’amour des trois Oranges……. His assumption of his role was unforgettable, and his humour and cheerfulness were a constant pleasure to all who worked and socialised with him. My sincerest condolences to his family; he will be missed and remembered by so many…
He was a baritone hero of mine and I blushingly told him so when I was lucky enough to work with him last year at ENO. He was just pure talent and a lovely man and it’s so sad to read the news this morning. I know there will be lots more testimonies to that effect as he was a tremendously well-loved man.
Normally I would not consider myself for one moment to be a suitable person to comment on such a tragic time as this, however, as an amateur singer, to be in the company of Robert was a constant delight through rehearsal and the run. It made no difference to him, just a charming man and so gifted. He is sorely missed and he was one of the great architects better efforts. No doubt there will be some interesting tennis matches and his version of YMCA will echo around the heavens.
Such sad news. Rob was the nicest guy in the world. Never a day I saw him without a smile on his face. A real gem, that has sadly been taken away. My thoughts to the whole family.
Awful news. He came to my house once in the mid-seventies when he was an aspiring singer and I a snotty teenager and I remember his quick and lively wit and the fact he flossed his teeth. Our paths never crossed again but I always kept track of his name as really the first person I met who was ‘in the business’. I should’ve realised you’d know him, Mark (we do know each other, by the way!)!
Like everyone else who worked with Rob, I only have the very warmest of memories, of laughing with him, whiles achieving a lot of truly good work. We worked together first in Amsterdam, where he was the Apothecary in Peter Grimes, and once again when he sang the Music Master in Ariadne Auf Naxos for Welsh National Opera. Every rehearsal with him was fun and productive. And often we would then retire to the bar for a drink. He was gifted as an actor singer, and blessed with a great sense of humour. It is a terrible loss for all of us. My heartfelt sympathy to his wife and family at this sad time.
Rob was one of the most positive, good humoured and delightful partners to work with. He sang Gunther in Michaell Wallings semi-staged Twilight of the Gods we did for ENO at the Barbican. He was so supportive and loving towards me, nervous about singing my first Hagen. I thought myself immensely lucky then, and feel so lucky to have known him and to have marked such an important moment in my life in his company. Whenever I saw him subsequently, his warmth, humour and genuine curiosity touched me deeply. Thanks Rob, I’ll miss you, as I know so many others already do too…
Shocking news. Thoughts are with Pippa, Tom and William. I shall miss his unusual tennis technique and rendering of the Monty Python’s Lumberjack song – also his God-given voice and acting talent. I shall never forget his tearing my cigarette out of my mouth on stage as a super in Carmen at Glyndebourne in 1985. His Rigoletto at Holland Park last year was spell-binding. His friendship was so important to me at a vulnerable stage of my life and a warm friendship down all the years since. Much love and terribly missed. Mike.
Terribly sad news. I trained with Robert at the Guildhall (and Philippa) 1981- 1986. A great singer and fine artist. I met him recently at Glyndebourne; still as generous and full of good humour. A tragedy and a sad loss to the music world and to all who knew and loved him. Rest in Peace.
Robert Chavner Countertenor and Vicar of Brighton.
Robert è una delle persone più simpatiche ed amabili che abbia mai incontrato. Le sue risate piene di vera allegria continuano a risuonare nelle mie orecchie ed a riempirmi il cuore di gioia…Bob, ti ho conosciuto poco, ma mi mancherai tanto! Continua a portare gioia e risate ovunque tu sia.
Auguro alla tua famiglia di ritornare al più presto a sorridere, ricordando la splendida persona che sei sempre stata.
Requiescant in Pace
Alessandra Volpe