John Broad

John Broad joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company as a bass chorister in September 1969. He later took the smaller roles of Second Yeoman in "The Yeomen of the Guard", Bob Becket in "HMS Pinafore", The Foreman in "Trial by Jury", Go-To in "The Mikado" (also recorded by Decca), Giorgio in "The Gondoliers", Captain Corcoran in "Utopia Limited" (also recorded), and the Herald in the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company's concert performance of "The Grand Duke". In March 1971 moved up to the larger role of Sir Richard in "Yeomen of the Guard" and added the part of the Notary in the Company's brand new production of "The Sorcerer". He also swapped roles in "Trial by Jury", taking on the larger part of The Usher. Broad also understudied many of the bass-baritone roles in the Savoy Operas, and played them when required. These included Dr Daly in "The Sorcerer", Captain Corcoran in "HMS Pinafore", Colonel Calverley in "Patience", Private Willis in "Iolanthe", and Don Alhambra del Bolero in "The Gondoliers". He left the Company in 1975, but returned for the 1979/80 season to guest as The Notary in "The Sorcerer". Work undertaken since leaving the Carte include teaching singing and theatre studies in Leicester, as well as directing school and amateur productions. He has also performed with the Magic of Gilbert and Sullivan concert group. He married fellow D'Oyly Carter, soprano Rosalind Griffiths in 1974.