Thomas Burke, tenor

Thomas Burke, also known as Tom Burke, (2 March 1890 – 13 September 1969) was a British operatic tenor. He trained in Britain and Italy and became popular singing at the Royal Opera House in 1919 and 1920. Burke appeared in several films and had a long recording career.

Thomas Aspinall Burke was born on 2 March 1890 in Leigh, Lancashire of Irish descent. He was the eldest of nine children. The family grew up in poor circumstances with Burke's father working as a labourer in the coal mines and his mother staying at home to look after the growing family. The family lived at 7 Mather Lane, Leigh. Burke, as an Irish Catholic boy, was educated by Jesuit priests at the local St Joseph's School. He left school at age 12 to work part-time in Courtauld's Silk Mill. In 1904, at age 14, he started working in a local coal mine.

Burke was a member of Leigh Borough Brass Band where he learnt to play the cornet and was promoted to first cornet player. The band competed at The Crystal Palace where Burke won the silver medal for the best individual cornet soloist.

During his teenage years Burke learnt to play the piano and he joined the local church choir.

Burke's first professional opportunity happened when a local music society was presenting Handel's Messiah. The tenor they had engaged fell ill at the last minute and Burke substituted. He received a good review and was paid. Around this time Burke had received some tuition from a local teacher of voice.

Burke attended the Manchester College of Music. In 1913, when Burke was 23 he was contracted by Hugo Gorelitz, a London-based impresario. The contract initially provided for Burke to study under Edgardo Levi at the Royal Academy in London, whilst giving paid singing engagements at various venues in the capital. Eventually the contract provided for Burke to go to Italy to continue his studies.

Burke studied with maestro Colli in Milan and debuted at the Teatro Dal Verme, Milan, as the Duke in Rigoletto. Burke had a subsequent engagement in Palermo but before he was able to make his mark on Italian opera he was recalled home to be conscripted. Burke did not join the services but embarked on a series of charity concerts until the war ended.

Burke debuted at a performance before King George V at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, as Rodolfo to Nellie Melba's Mimì in La bohème when the opera house was re-opened in 1919 after World War I, and also sang the Duke of Mantua, Pinkerton, and Count Almaviva in the same season. Burke also performed at the Royal Albert Hall.

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