The mezzo-soprano Edith Coates was associated with the Old Vic and Sadlers Wells opera until 1946, notably as Carmen a role she sang at the first post war production at Covent Garden Opera after World War II in 1947. She stayed at Covent Garden for the next twenty years, playing character roles from around 1950. Coates created the role of Auntie in Benjamin Britten's opera Peter Grimes at Sadler's Wells in 1945 and later created roles in Arthur Bliss's Olympians and Britten's Gloriana. In all, she played more than 60 operatic roles In 1977 she was awarded an Order of the British Empire for her services to music. There is no doubt that the war limited her career as it occurred during her prime singing years; though she was also said not to have been excessively ambitious. She stood out from her contemporary singers by being a highly gifted actress with a striking stage presence.

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