- Mills, Robert Watkin
[E] Mills, Robert Watkin, baritone vocalist,
born at Painswick, Gloucestershire, March 4,
1856. Sang in the church choir there as a
boy. A baritone voice developing, he was in
request at local concerts. He then went to
London, and studied under Edwin Holland,
afterwards proceeding to Milan, he studied
with S. Blasco ; and on his return to London
had some lessons from Alfred Blume. He
made a successful cUhut at the Crystal
Palace, May 17, 1884, and a still greater
impression in the " Messiah," at the Royal
Albert Hall, January 1, 1885. He then sang
at the Monday and Saturday Popular Con-
certs, and made his first Festival appearance
at Birmingham, in August of the same year.
In 1886 he was heard at the Gloucester and
Leeds Festivals, and took his place among
the first singers of the day, singing at every
important centre in the Kingdom. From
1894, he has made annual tours in Canada
and the United States, singing at Festivals,
and giving vocal recitals. He made one
appearance in opera, at Birmingham Theatre
Royal, as Baldassare, in " La Favorita,"
May 21, 1884, but declined Mr. Carl Rosa's
offer of an extended engagement, devoting
himself to concert work, and oratorio singing.entry id: 282-R-49
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