Draft:Peter David Baillie
| Submission declined on 6 July 2025 by Vanderwaalforces (talk). This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of music-related topics). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia.
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
|  |
Comment: Kammersänger is probably significant, but this article is currently not it. Every challengeable claim you make in a biography of living person (I consider it one because the death is very recent) must be backed up by a reliable, secondary and independent source. Several sections, including but not limited to the "Personal life" are unsourced. Vanderwaalforces (talk) 18:28, 6 July 2025 (UTC)
Peter David Baillie | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 29, 1933 Hastings, New Zealand |
| Died | June 18, 2025 (aged 91) Wellington, New Zealand |
| Occupation | Operatic tenor |
| Spouse | Lois Baillie (née Noel) |
| Children | Donald Baillie, Ian Baillie |
Peter David Baillie (29 November 1933 – 18 June 2025) was a New Zealand operatic tenor best known for his 22-year career at the Volksoper in Vienna, where he performed more than 70 roles and was awarded the honorary title Kammersänger in 1987.[1][2][3][4]
Early life and education
[edit]Peter Baillie grew up in a musically inclined family in Havelock North and later Palmerston North, New Zealand. His musical development was shaped by his mother, a keen amateur singer, and his early participation in church and school choirs. He studied briefly at Otago University before settling in Wellington, where he pursued accountancy while remaining active in amateur music theatre and choirs. His formal vocal training began in 1956 under Donald Munro and later continued with Stanley Oliver and John Thompson.[5]
Early career in New Zealand and Australia
[edit]Baillie joined the New Zealand Opera Company full-time in 1959, beginning with minor roles and progressing to leading tenor parts in operas such as La traviata, Le nozze di Figaro, and Don Pasquale. He gained national attention as a finalist in the 1959 Mobil Song Quest and took part in pivotal tours that helped secure government support for opera in New Zealand.[6][7]
In the early 1960s, Baillie moved to Australia, where he performed with the Elizabethan Trust Opera Company. Notably, he sang Tony in West Side Story and Ferrando in Così fan tutte, and collaborated with the Viennese director Stefan Haag, who had a lasting impact on his acting and stagecraft.[8]
Vienna Volksoper and European career
[edit]His first European engagement in 1966 was as soloist with the London Emmanuel Choir, followed the same year by Monteverdi’s Vespers of the Blessed Virgin in Barcelona, Spain. As his European agent, Dr Rudolf Raab was a significant influence on his career and a close friend.
In 1966, Peter Baillie relocated to Vienna, Austria. Shortly after arrival, he successfully auditioned for the Volksoper, joining the ensemble with a generous initial contract. Over two decades, he performed in more than 70 productions, ranging from Mozart and Verdi to operetta and contemporary Austrian works. He debuted in 1967 in Halka and quickly rose through the ranks. Notable roles included Albert in Albert Herring, Camille in The Merry Widow, Wenzel in The Bartered Bride, and Basilio in Le nozze di Figaro. His portrayal of Albert was described as a "masterpiece" and contributed to his receiving the title of Kammersänger in 1987.[9][10]
Outside Vienna, Baillie performed at Glyndebourne, Wexford, Barcelona, Brussels, and with major orchestras including the Vienna Philharmonic. He appeared at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall in London and sang in oratorio performances including Messiah, War Requiem, and Franz Schmidt's Das Buch mit sieben Siegeln.[11]
He also worked extensively in the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Croatia (touring Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde with the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra), and the United States (performing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir). He participated in the Volksoper operetta tour of Japan in 1979.
Peter Baillie appeared frequently on Austrian radio, including the Heinz Conrads Show, and in Australia and New Zealand in recitals and broadcast programmes, notably Opera of the Week in New Zealand. In 1985, a documentary titled Peter Baillie’s Vienna was filmed in Vienna about his cultural contributions. It was produced by Peter Coates and the production company TVNZ.[12]
Singing for charity
[edit]Throughout his career, Baillie sang extensively for charitable causes, including churches, cathedrals, retirement villages, prisons, and community organisations. After returning to New Zealand, he continued performing for many retirement homes for over twenty years.
He also served as a judge for the Wellington schools German language competitions at Victoria University of Wellington.
Festivals
[edit]Baillie performed at numerous festivals, including:
- Dubrovnik Festival
- Wexford Festival
- Glyndebourne Festival
- Salzburg Festival
- Adelaide Festival
- Wellington Festival
Return to New Zealand
[edit]In 1988, Baillie returned to New Zealand, emphasizing that he had not retired but wished to contribute his European experience to local music-making. He remained active in concerts and teaching.[13]
Personal life
[edit]Baillie was married to Lois Baillie (née Noel), an Australian. The couple had two sons, Donald and Ian Baillie. During his time in Vienna, the family actively participated in musical and church communities.
Peter Baillie died peacefully on 18 June 2025 in Wellington, aged 91.
Recordings and legacy
[edit]Peter Baillie has made many recordings of opera, oratorio and sacred music for European companies. These are distributed only in Europe. Other LPs include several with the London Emmanuel Choir and a disc of operatic duets with Teresa Stich-Randall (Westminster WST 17130). New Zealand LP recordings include: Favourite Hymns, Arias and Sacred Songs (Kiwi Pacific SLC 141), Comfort Ye My People (Kiwi Pacific LC 25), Festive Season (Festival Singers PR 1030) and, with the Orpheus Choir, He Came Singing Love (Viking VP 449).[14]
Although primarily known for live performance, selected recordings of Peter Baillie’s work are available online.[15][16]
His legacy is also captured in Adrienne Simpson and Peter Downes’ Southern Voices, which includes a dedicated chapter on his career.[17]
Honours
[edit]- Kammersänger title awarded by the Vienna Volksoper (1987)[18]
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Simpson, A., & Downes, P. (1992). Southern voices: International opera singers of New Zealand. Reed. Pages 119-131
- ^ Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. (n.d.). Peter Baillie – Classical musicians. Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/45400/peter-baillie
- ^ New Zealand Herald. (1988, February 11). Top award for tenor. In New Zealand music scrapbook. Auckland Council Libraries. Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/akldpeople/id/304790/
- ^ National Library of New Zealand. (n.d.). Peter Baillie record. Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://natlib.govt.nz/records/22365088
- ^ Simpson, A., & Downes, P. (1992). Southern voices: International opera singers of New Zealand. Reed. Pages 119-131
- ^ Simpson, A., & Downes, P. (1992). Southern voices: International opera singers of New Zealand. Reed. Pages 119-131
- ^ Music Abroad. (1962). The Musical Times, 103(1434), 552–555. https://doi.org/10.2307/948386
- ^ Simpson, A., & Downes, P. (1992). Southern voices: International opera singers of New Zealand. Reed. Pages 119-131
- ^ New Zealand Herald. (1988, February 11). Top award for tenor. In New Zealand music scrapbook. Auckland Council Libraries. Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/akldpeople/id/304790/
- ^ Alexander Turnbull Library. (n.d.). Peter Baillie – Classical musicians – Peter Downes Collection (PA-Group-00880). Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/45400/peter-baillie
- ^ Historical Tenors. (n.d.). Peter Baillie. Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://www.historicaltenors.net/comprimari/baillie.html
- ^ Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. (1986). New Zealand tenor Peter Baillie, resident singer at the Vienna Volksopera, presents his tribute to the city of song [Film]. https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/search-use-collection/search/TZP10689/
- ^ Simpson, A., & Downes, P. (1992). Southern voices: International opera singers of New Zealand. Reed. Page 131
- ^ Simpson, A., & Downes, P. (1992). Southern voices: International opera singers of New Zealand. Reed. Page 277
- ^ Deezer. (n.d.). Peter Baillie. Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/4568956
- ^ Discogs. (n.d.). Peter Baillie. Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://www.discogs.com/artist/1176358-Peter-Baillie?noanv=1
- ^ Simpson, A., & Downes, P. (1992). Southern voices: International opera singers of New Zealand. Reed. Page 277
- ^ New Zealand Herald. (1988, February 11). Top award for tenor. In New Zealand music scrapbook. Auckland Council Libraries. Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/akldpeople/id/304790/