George Baker (10 February 1885 - 8 January 1976) was a baritone whose recording career stretched from 1909 to 1962. He was particularly known for recording the patter roles in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Savoy Operas, though he rarely sang these works in public performance. Around 1920 he made a series of mainly operatic records for the Aeolian Vocalion company, but also recorded for Pathé, Beka, HMV and Columbia.

Bizet - Carmen - Toreador Song
Orchestra
George Baker, baritone

Bizet - Carmen - Toreador Song - Baker

(mp3 file – click to play, or right click the link, then select “Save as”)

Aeolian Vocalion C-01004 (12” single-side)
Matrix 01576
Recorded c1920
Play at 81.8rpm for score pitch

The record label says “in Italian”, but Baker is singing in English.

Verdi - Il Trovatore - The tempest of the Heart (Il Balen)
Orchestra
George Baker, baritone

Verdi - Il Trovatore - Il balen - Baker

(mp3 file – click to play, or right click the link, then select “Save as”)

Aeolian Vocalion C-01005 (12” single-side)
Matrix 01593
Recorded c1920
Play at 81.8rpm to play in A flat major (a tone below score pitch)