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Ivor Emmanuel (born 1927 in Pontrhydyfen, Port Talbot – July 2007) was an opera star who led the rendition of 'Men of Harlech' in the film 'Zulu'.

When he was just 14 his father, mother, sister and grandfather were killed by a stray German bomb that hit their village. Ivor's Aunt Flossie took him in and he began working in the coal mine. He went on to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather by getting a job in the steelworks. However, early on he developed a keen interest in music and was a member of Pontrhydyfen Operatic Society. Ivor used to carry a wind-up gramophone up nearby mountains to listen to records of Enrico Caruso.

Aged 20 Emmanuel unsuccesfully auditioned for The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. He took solace by drinking with an old friend Richard Burton - who was performing in The Lady's Not for Burning at the time in London - and telling him how desperate he was to break into show business. Two weeks later a telegram arrived from Burton telling him to be in Drury Lane the following day for an audition. He got the part - in the musical Oklahoma!.

Emmanuel's stage career subsequently went from strength to strength - his manly look and ringing tones made him a natural for beefy American musicals, of which he became a regular component, inclduing roles in: "South Pacific," "The King and I," "Plain and Fancy," "Damn Yankees" and "Finian's Rainbow."^[1]

It was during the late '1950s that Emmanuel made his breakthrough into television. He took part in a Welsh language singing programme called "Dewch i Mewn," and then took a leading role in the similar show 'Gwlad y Gan' (meaning 'Land of Song'). The show was broadcast across the UK once a month and regularly attracted an audience of some ten million people.

To a modern audience he will probably best be remembered for his stirring performance as Private Owen in the acclaimed film "Zulu."' Emmanuel's character rallies the men with the now-famous "Men of Harlech."

Emmanuel retired to Spain in the 1980s. His death was announced on 20 July 2007.^[2]

References

External links

• Ivor Emmanuel remembered at BBC.co.uk/Wales