Born Blaina, Monmouthshire, 14 February 1891.
Died London, 26 December 1963.
Welsh tenor.
Parry Jones was one of the best and most versatile tenors active in Britain between the wars, a leading member of the Beecham, Carl Rosa, BNOC and Covent Garden companies.
He trained in London at the Royal College of Music. He later studied in Italy (with Colli), Dresden (with Scheidemantel) and back in England with John Coates.
Returning from an American tour in 1915, he survived the sinking of the Lusitania, before spending time with Beecham and D'Oyly Carte. He toured with Carl Rosa 1919-22.
When BNOC began operations in 1922 he joined them, remaining until they ceased operations in 1928. His voice had a refinement that allowed him to sing high-lying lyrical parts such as the Astrologer in Golden Cockerel. He was also able to sing heavier roles, and sang David and Walther in The Mastersingers in consecutive seasons. Other Wagner roles included Tannhäuser and Lohengrin.
From then he appeared regularly at Covent Garden, including a period after the war (1949 -53) when what is now the Royal Opera was in its early stages. He then sang some character roles, including the Captain (Wozzeck) and Shuisky (Boris Godunov).
He later taught in London at the Guildhall, where his students included Patricia Kern
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