Michael Rayner(I)

Michael Rayner performed as a bass-baritone with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company from 1971 to 1979. His featured roles with the company were: Cox in "Cox and Box" The Counsel for the Plaintiff in "Trial by Jury" Corcoran in "H.M.S. Pinafore" Samuel in "The Pirates of Penzance" Sergeant of Police in "The Pirates of Penzance" Strephon in "Iolanthe" Guron in "Princess Ida" Arac in "Princess Ida" Pish-Tush in "The Mikado" Sir Richard in "The Yeomen of the Guard" Giuseppe in "The Gondoliers" Mr Goldbury in "Utopia, Ltd." Dr Tannhauser in "The Grand Duke" Michael recorded the following roles with the D'Oyly Carte for Decca Recordings: Bouncer (Cox and Box); Counsel; Strephon; Pish-Tush; Sir Richard; Giuseppe; Goldbury; Tannhauser. Other theatrical roles taken by Michael in more recent years include: Private Willis in "Iolanthe" Dick Deadeye in "HMS Pinafore" The Sergeant of Police in "The Pirates of Penzance" Major Murgatroyd in "Patience" The Mikado in "The Mikado" (all with The Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company). Michael also performs in oratorio and concerts throughout the UK.