Frederick Collier

Australian bass/Baritone (b. Collingwood, Vic. 5 Oct, 1885 - d. South Yarra, Vic. 14 Oct., 1964) Singing with church choir aged 10. Winner of awards at Ballarat South Street Competition 1907-1908. Soloist with St. Patrick's Cathedral Choir, Melbourne 1909-1910. Manager for Chappell's Melbourne office in 1917. Later with JCW Opera Company, and then joined the Rigo Opera Company which was touring Australia. Went to England in 1921 and joined the British National Opera Company which gave many concerts and appeared at Covent Garden. In 1926 went to Milan for further study, then returned to Covent Garden. With the Carl Rosa Opera Company 1928-1934. Returned to Australia April 1934 singing with Fuller's season of grand opera, and also appeared in various A.B.C. opera productions 1934-1936. In 1940 joined the Melbourne Wireless Chorus which broadcast over the A.B.C. and stayed with this group until 1960. Was in the 1961 stage production "The Most Happy Fella".