Arthur Aldrich (1872-1929) was a leading tenor of Lamb DeWolf Hopper’s theater company. He distinguished himself at his first appearance on Broadway as Ralph Rackstraw in the play H.M.S. Pinafore which opened on May 29, 1911 at the Casino heater in New York—coincidentally on the same day that the play’s librettist, W. S. Gilbert, passed away. A review in The New York Times of the play read “The tenor role of Ralph Rackstraw was sung by Arthur Aldridge, an English singer who has not appeared before in America except in concert and vaudeville. The audience warmed to him at once last night and made him repeat all of his solos. He has a remarkably clear, full tone, and sings with a natural expression that is most pleasing.”*
According to an article in the San Francisco Call dated July 7, 1912, which billed him as “Arthur Aldridge, Company’s Star Tenor, a Rapid Transit Passenger on the Road to Renown,” he was running a road roller in Birmingham, England only six years earlier when he was discovered by a Belfast theater manager. He also sang on the stage to accompany film presentations at the Strand Theater—“New York’s Premier Photo Playpalace.” A program from August 13, 1916 has him performing “Till Death” by Mascheroni. A performance of Arthur Aldridge singing “Where the Rivers of Love Flow On” can be heard at YouTube.
*”Old ‘Pinafore’ is As Merry As Ever, The New York Times, May 30, 1911–RET