One of Bermuda's best-loved singers will be heard for the last time on the local stage in a special farewell recital at the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium for the Performing Arts tomorrow night.

Dr. Gary Burgess, whose golden voice has, for decades, delighted audiences both here and abroad, has decided "the time has come'' to end his glittering singing career and concentrate on other things.

The gifted tenor, who has performed in most of the world's major opera houses, said his decision is based, in part, upon the fact that, with no opera in Bermuda, the type of roles he usually sings are not available, and in any case he is getting older.

"So I thought, `Let's just finish it','' he explained.

Like all world class artists, however, Dr. Burgess wanted to share his art with his many friends one final time as a thank-you for their support. That he was born and raised here and ends his singing career in his homeland is also fitting.

The recital will be held under the patronage of the Governor, and the audience will include friends who are flying in especially for the occasion. They will include the chairman of the board of directors of the Greater Buffalo Opera Company, which Dr. Burgess founded.

In formulating his farewell programme, the tenor has chosen works which have special significance in his life.

As befits an opera singer, he will open with "Here I Stand'' from Stravinsky's opera, The Rake's Progress, in which he made his European debut as Tom Rackwell.

Four of his favourite songs by Brahms will follow, and then Dr. Burgess will sing Auf dem Strom by Schubert.

"It is a very big piece for tenor, horn and piano,'' he explained. "I will be joined by Kent Hayward, who is a wonderful horn player, on French horn. It is like one enormous aria, really, and very difficult for singer and horn.'' This choice has special memories for Dr. Burgess because he sang it in Israel and elsewhere, sometimes with Rudolph Serkin as pianist. Mr. Serkin was also the leader when he sang this and other works many times at Vermont's Marlboro Music Festival.

"Mr. Serkin was also head of Curtis Institute of Music when I was a student, so it has a very special place in my heart,'' he said.

In the second half of his programme, Dr. Burgess will sing four French songs by Henry Duparc, chosen because he won the Debussy prize when he sang some of them in a major competition in Paris.

Next will be a cycle of holy songs by Ned Rorem, which also have special significance for the singer.

"Ned was on the faculty of the State University of New York years ago where I was a professor, and I also sang at his 70th birthday at the University,'' he said. "In fact, I have sung these songs for years.'' The programme will conclude with four spirituals because, Dr. Burgess explained, "they are popular, and Bermudians always associate spirituals with singers of colour''.

The tenor will be accompanied throughout by Dr. Karol Sue Reddington of the Bermuda Conservatory of Music.

The recital begins at 8 p.m. Tickets ($20) are obtainable from the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Harbourmaster, and will also be sold at the door.

All proceeds will go to the Bermuda Philharmonic Society, of which Dr. Burgess is director and conductor.

The news of Dr. Burgess' retirement as a singer is being greeted with sadness by many who have either worked with him or attended his performances.

Typical is colleague Mrs. Marjorie Pettit.

"I have worked with Gary professionally for 20 years and he is not only a wonderful musician and colleague, but also a very lovely person,'' she said.

"As a singer he is going to be sorely missed in performing circles, but we are fortunate that he will continue to work as the conductor of the Bermuda Philharmonic and also the Bermuda Cathedral Boys' Choir.'' Final concert: Gary Burgess