Pauline Wales

Before joining the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company chorus for in 1959, Pauline Wales had sung in oratorios, amateur opera, and musical comedy in the north of England. During her early years with the company, Pauline sang the small roles of Isabel in "The Pirates of Penzance", Leila in "Iolanthe" (also recorded by Decca), Hebe in "HMS Pinafore" (also recorded), The First Bridesmaid in "Trial By Jury", Ruth in "Ruddigore", and Vittoria in "The Gondoliers". When "Princess Ida" was revived in 1961, Pauline added the large, principal role of Melissa to her characters. Further roles were added after the depature of mezzo-soprano Gillian Humphreys to follow a successful career as a soprano. These parts included Kate in "The Pirates of Penzance" (also recorded by Decca), Saphir in "Patience", Peep-Bo in "The Mikado" (also recorded by Decca), as Tessa in "The Gondoliers" (also recorded for Decca). She also understudied the roles of Iolanthe in "Iolanthe", Pitti-Sing in "The Mikado", and Phoebe in "The Yeomen of the Guard". Pauline left the Carte in 1974, but returned in late 1974/early 1975 to play Melissa as a guest artiste for the prestigious centenary London season. During her time with the D'Oyly Carte she was married twice, firstly to chorister John Maguire, and later to principal bass-baritone Thomas Lawlor. More recently Pauline has sung with both The Magic of D'Oyly Carte/Gilbert and Sullivan concert group, the Gilbert and Sullivan for All company, as Mad Margaret in "Ruddigore" for Kent Opera, and in various "Together Again" concerts. She has taught singing in Radcliffe-on-Trent, and has also directed the Radcliffe Ladies Choir.