Marion Studholme

Marion Studholme (27 June 1927 – 6 January 2016) was an English soprano born in Blackpool, United Kingdom, to John Studholme, a water board engineer, and his wife Daisy. She received her secondary education at Childwall Valley High School before enrolling at the Royal College of Music, where she studied under Rodolfo Mele. It was at the Royal College of Music that she met Andrew Downie, whom she married in 1952. The couple had two sons and appeared together in multiple productions of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas directed by Tyrone Guthrie.

Studholme began her professional career by joining the chorus of Sadler's Wells Opera Company, advancing from ensemble work to principal roles. Among the leading parts she took on with the company was Lucinda in Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari's School for Fathers. She was also a regular presence on the BBC radio programme Friday Night Is Music Night. Later in her career she returned to the Royal College of Music as a teacher.

Her recording work, though limited in volume, included notable projects. In 1959 she appeared on a Decca recording of Benjamin Britten's Peter Grimes, conducted by Britten himself, singing the role of Niece 1. She also recorded the role of Yum-Yum in The Mikado, conducted by Alexander Faris. On television, Studholme portrayed Mabel Stanley in The Pirates of Penzance, appeared as Molly in a 1950 adaptation of Die Fledermaus, and played Josephine in HMS Pinafore between 1960 and 1962.

Her Broadway career included an appearance in 1960 in H.M.S. Pinafore. Her husband Andrew Downie pursued a lengthy career as a television actor and died in 2009. Studholme herself died on 6 January 2016.