Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 7
Foreword 9
Preface 15
Why Me? 15
What to Expect from this Book 16
Chapter One: Upbeats 17
Early Childhood 22
School 24
Two Lessons 29
Chapter Two: Training 33
Mentor Mother 33
Hubert Milverton-Carta 37
Ray Wilson 42
Teachers' Training College 44
James Robertson 48
Decisions 49
The Pied Piper 52
Getting Started 56
Chapter Three: Sadler's Wells 63
Glen Byam Shaw 65
Colin Davis, John Matheson, and Portamento 72
Charles Mackerras 74
Singer Colleagues and Almost Siberia 76
Enter Agent 83
Chapter Four: Covent Garden 89
German, Vilely Mangled 90
A Place for Learning Roles 96
Reginald Goodall 106
Klemperer 111
Chapter Five: Bayreuth 117
Con molto portamento 135
Family, Friends, and Winifred 136
Wagner's Ring 143
Patrice Chereau 147
Revolt 157
Success 166
Chapter Six: Notes and Roles 177
The Flying Dutchman 180
Mundane Reflections 191
Hans Sachs 201
Advice among Colleagues 211
Cashing In 228
Appendix: Aphorisms on How to Be a Singer 237