Eric Shilling

Shilling learnt about singing from his father, who sang music-hall songs at home. He was educated at Leyton Sixth Form College. He became hooked on opera after a conducted tour around Sadler's Wells followed by the evening performance of The Marriage of Figaro, the first opera he'd seen. He began work as an accounts clerk for Anglo-Iranian Oil, where a colleague who was a part-time student at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama suggested that he enrol there for vocal training. After just one term of part-time lessons the outbreak of war resulted in Anglo-Iranian staff being evacuated to South Wales. When back in London, Shilling was drafted into rescue services digging out bombed buildings on 24-hour shifts, one on, one off. He managed to fit in lessons with Walter Hyde, who taught him the basis of baritone technique and interpretation. Three years later he won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music under Clive Carey. Shilling made his debut as Marullo in Rigoletto at Sadler's Wells Theatre in 1945, He retired at the end of the 1993–94 season with Benoit and Alcindoro in La Boheme at the Coliseum after almost 50 years on the stage. ==Recordings and television==