George Cook

George Cook (28 May 1925 – April 1995) was an English opera singer and actor, best known for his performances in the bass and bass-baritone roles of the Savoy Operas with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company.

Life and career George Cook was born in Coventry. Upon his discharge from the Royal Navy at the close of World War II, Cook joined an amateur operatic society in Coventry. Encouraged by his success, he moved to London and studied voice.

Cook joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company chorus in 1954, soon assuming the role of the Carpenter's Mate in H.M.S. Pinafore. In 1955, he also began to play the mute role of the Associate in Trial by Jury. Beginning in 1956, he added to his repertory the roles of Sergeant Bouncer in Cox and Box, the Usher in Trial, the Boatswain's Mate in Pinafore, and Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance.

In 1956 Cook began to play the role of Giorgio in The Gondoliers, while also serving as understudy for the principal baritone roles. He also took on the role of Scynthius in Princess Ida in 1957, and the roles of Go-To in The Mikado and Sergeant of Police in Pirates in 1962. Finally, in 1963, he added the role of Old Adam in Ruddigore. He regularly played these roles until he left the D'Oyly Carte organisation in 1969, after marrying D'Oyly Carte chorister Marian Martin. and provides the voice of Old Adam in the 1967 Halas and Batchelor cartoon of Ruddigore.