Beverley Humphreys

Last updated

Beverley Humphreys
MBE
Birth nameBeverley Anne Humphreys
Born Pontypridd, Wales
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1960s–present

Beverley Anne Humphreys, MBE (born November 1947 [1] ), is a Welsh operatic and concert soprano and broadcaster. She has become known for her work with refugees [2] and in 2022 was awarded the MBE for "services to Community Cohesion and Broadcasting". [3]

Humphreys comes from Pontypridd and began her singing career with Welsh National Opera. [4] She has performed and toured in several one-woman shows, including Seven Women under One Hat, A Tribute to Ivor Novello , With Melody in Mind and Legendary Ladies – Judy Garland, Gertrude Lawrence and Marlene Dietrich .

In 1992 Humphreys became the first singer to lead rugby crowds at the National Stadium in Cardiff in the singing of the Welsh national anthem. [4] In 2010 she was appointed High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan. [5] [6] In the early 2000s she organised an exhibition called "Let Paul Robeson Sing!" to commemorate Paul Robeson's links with Wales. [7] [6]

Humphreys presents music programmes on BBC Radio Wales, [4] and has presented the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition for radio on several occasions.

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References

  1. "Beverley Anne Humphreys". Companies House. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  2. "Beverley Humphreys: The opera singer doubling as a football coach". BBC News. 6 August 2019. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  3. "Queen's Birthday Honours List 2021: All the Welsh people honoured". WalesOnline. 2 June 2022. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 "Beverley's World of Music". BBC Radio Wales. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  5. "No. 59364". The London Gazette . 18 March 2010. p. 4707.
  6. 1 2 Abbie Wightwick (19 June 2010). "Singer Beverley Humphreys becomes high sheriff". WalesOnline. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  7. Jeff Sparrow (2 July 2017). "How Paul Robeson found his political voice in the Welsh valleys". The Observer. Archived from the original on 6 May 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.