Donald Francke

London - 03/1986 - Old Deuteronomy

London - 02/1987 - Old Deuteronomy

London - 06/1988 - Old Deuteronomy

London - 08/1988 - Old Deuteronomy

London - 01/1989 - Old Deuteronomy

London - 04/1989 - Old Deuteronomy

London - 12/1989 - Old Deuteronomy

London - 02/1990 - Old Deuteronomy

London - 11/1990 - Old Deuteronomy

London - 11/1991 - Old Deuteronomy

London - 05/1992 - Old Deuteronomy

London - 11/1992 - Old Deuteronomy

London - 05/1993 - Old Deuteronomy

London - 11/1993 - Old Deuteronomy

London - 06/1994 - Old Deuteronomy

Biography (1987)
Donald Francke studied at St. Catharine's College (Catz), Cambridge, performing in opera, review and with the Footlights in cabaret. His London debut, whilst studying further at the Royal College of Music, was with the New Opera Company at Sadler's Wells Theatre in the world premiere of Benjamin's A Tale of Two Cities, running to a second season and television presentation. Subsequently with the Intimate Opera, he created many roles, and with Phoenix Opera, Scottish Opera, Opera Players, Welsh Opera and Opera North, repertoire included Dr Bartolo Barber of Seville; Colonel Frank Die Fledermaus, Schunard Boheme; King Agamemnon La Belle Helene; Micah Bartered Bride; Don Magnifico Cenerentola and Sacristan Tosca, which latter he repeated recently in a revival of Zeffirelli's production at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. He also created the role of the Friar in Richard Blackford's children's opera The Pig Organ, presented by the Royal Opera and Opera Players at the London Round House.

For light relief, children's theatre has included engagements with the Polka Theatre, Wimbledon and many engagements as Mr. Noye in Britten's Noye's Fludde both here and abroad.

Television, Radio broadcasts and Promenade Concerts of opera have included a run of Gilbert and Sullivan presentations. In 1964 he was a guest at the Theatre Royal, Lincoln, for their Shakespeare centenary presentation, A Muse of Fire.

A Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, spare time is occupied with astronomy and dabbling in animated films. He has created a cartoon cat, Igloo, who now exists in live fur and flesh and often walks with him to the post box!