Nancy Evans (mezzo-soprano)

Nancy Evans OBE (19 March 1915 – 20 August 2000) was an English mezzo-soprano who had a notable career as a concert and opera singer.

She is particularly associated with Benjamin Britten who wrote his song cycle, A Charm of Lullabies, and the role of Nancy in his opera Albert Herring for her.

After studying singing first with John Tobin and later with Maggie Teyte and Eva de Reusz, she made her recital debut in Liverpool at the age of 18.

[2] Initially a recital and concert singer, she made her stage debut in 1938 in Arthur Sullivan's The Rose of Persia at the Prince's Theatre in London, which was followed by a series of small roles at Royal Opera House.

The following year she created the role of Nancy in his Albert Herring, also at Glyndebourne, and in 1948 she sang Polly in Britten's version of The Beggar's Opera.