David Brazell

David Brazell (1875 - 1959) was a Welsh singer. His parents were collier John Brazell, and Mary, of Pwll, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire. Two of his brothers, John and Thomas, were also musicians; John a tenor soloist, and Thomas a choir conductor and a precentor at Pwll's Independent chapel. Unfortunately John died on the ship Mauretania whilst returning to Britain from New York.

Following his early education at the local school, David entered employment in the tinplate industry, but also studied music in Llanelli in his spare time. In 1901, encouraged by his teacher, R.C. Jenkins, he joined the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied for five years under tutor Frederic King (singing), Frederic Corder (harmony and counterpoint), and Edgardo Levi (opera). When he ompleted the course in 1906 he was offered contracts with a number of professional opera companies, and joined the Carl Rosa Opera Company for a short period, before choosing to continue his career as a freelance professional singer.

He had a rich baritone voice which was favoured by a number of accomplished composers of his time. Edward Elgar invited him to sing at an early performance of his oratorio, 'The Dream of Gerontius', and Edward German invited him to sing the part of the Earl of Essex in his opera, 'Merrie England', in Bournemouth.

He made numerous recordings, of selections from operas and oratorios, popular songs, and Welsh songs, and name was one of the first to appear in the catalogues of a number of gramophone companies.

He died in hospital in Llanelli in 1959. ^[1]

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