David Rendall, who has died aged 76, was a singer whose bronzed but mellifluous tenorial tones sustained a career lasting 30 years until it was shortened by an onstage accident. He enjoyed successful runs at the major British houses – Covent Garden, English National Opera and Glyndebourne – as well as the Metropolitan, New York, but he was also dogged by misfortune.
Progressing from lighter roles in Mozart and bel canto opera to weightier parts such as Don Alvaro in La Forza del Destino and Cavaradossi in Tosca, he finally attained the zenith of many a tenor’s aspirations, the title role in Otello, bringing to the part his characteristic combination of commanding tone, lyrical timbre and skilful phrasing. Of his performance at ENO in 1998, the critic of Opera magazine prophesied: “Given the right opportunities, Rendall’s Otello will surely bestride the world.”
