Webster Booth

(21 January 1902-1984) Born Leslie Webster Booth (21 January 1902 – 21 June 1984), better known by his stage name, Webster Booth, was a British tenor. He is largely remembered today as the duettist partner of Anne Ziegler, but he was also one of the finest British tenors of his generation and was a distinguished oratorio soloist. His first appearance was in Yeoman of the Guard for the D'Oyly-Carte Opera Company in Brighton in 1924. His first appearance in London was in The Three Musketeers in 1930. He and Anne Ziegler embarked on their famous duettist variety act in 1940. They made over 800 recordings over the years; starred in three musical plays, The Vagabond King (1943), Sweet Yesterday (1945) and toured in And so to Bed" (1953–1954); and appeared in several musical films in the 1940s. They made frequent broadcasts together. In 1948 they went on a successful concert tour of New Zealand and Australia. When musical tastes changed in the 1950s they decided to emigrate to South Africa in 1956 where they continued their stage work as well as teaching singing in their Johannesburg studio. They made numerous appearances in the country, beginning with a ‘B’ tour to rural areas and smaller towns in 1956. They remained in South Africa until 1978, teaching and starring in numerous shows, beginning with Spring Quartet for Leonard Schach in Cape Town in September 1956. They returned to the United Kingdom in 1978 where they broadcast on BBC radio, appeared on television in the Russell Harty Show and made personal appearances throughout the United Kingdom in An Evening with Anne Ziegler and Webster Booth.