Comic singer of Gilbert and Sullivan dies at 94

COMIC singer John Reed, who toured the world performing Gilbert and Sullivan operas, has died on his 94th birthday, a friend and colleague said yesterday.

The British stage star spent 20 years as the principal comic baritone with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company.

He entertained audiences in London, Australia, the US and Canada with his renditions of fast-rhythm "patter" lyrics.

The comic device is a key feature of Gilbert and Sullivan's works, which include The Mikado and Pirates of Penzance.

After retiring, Reed moved to Halifax, West Yorkshire, where he directed the local Gilbert and Sullivan society, the West Yorkshire Savoyards. He also supported the annual International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Buxton, Derbyshire, until failing eyesight made involvement difficult.

Festival director Neil Smith said: "Reed had an unrivalled ability to imbue his performances with both madcap humour and deep pathos, a quality which, combined with the acrobatic agility of a trained dancer, brought him worldwide acclaim.

"Gilbert and Sullivan's Savoy operas are the most widely performed works in the English language, apart from Shakespeare, and John Reed's D'Oyly Carte career made him a star in the US, Australia and Canada as the company toured continuously between London seasons."

Mr Smith, who described Reed as his "courtesy uncle", said the singer had been unwell in the months leading to his death in hospital on Saturday.