Ernest Arthur Lough was an English singer born on November 17, 1911, in Forest Gate, Essex. He began his musical journey as a treble in the choir of St Peter's, Forest Gate, before joining the Temple Church choir in London in 1924. In 1927, at age 15, Lough recorded Felix Mendelssohn’s “Hear My Prayer”, which featured the solo “O for the Wings of a Dove”. Released by His Master's Voice, the record became a massive success and was EMI's first classical recording to sell over one million copies, earning gold disc status by 1962. Due to the high volume of copies made, the original master wore out and was re-recorded in 1928. Lough's voice broke in 1929, and although he continued as a baritone, he did not pursue music professionally. During World War II, he served in the fire service and appeared in the film Fires Were Started. He later worked for the advertising agency Mather and Crowther. Lough died on February 22, 2000.
