Early Career
Kenningham was born in Hull, England. He began his musical career as a boy soprano soloist, at age eight, at Holy Trinity Church in Hull. He was then principal solo boy at St Paul’s Cathedral in London at age 10. After his voice changed, he became the organist and choir master at St Luke’s Church in Hull at age fourteen. He soon became interested in a stage career but first enlisted in the 5th Dragoon Guards. With that military company, he travelled to Egypt in 1882, taking part in two engagements. He then returned to England, where he was stationed at York and gave organ recitals, earning enough from these to purchase his military discharge. His London stage debut was at the Adelphi Theatre in 1882 as Duvalor in the first performance of Haydn Millar's operetta Mariette's Wedding.
Kenningham soon became the principal tenor at Canterbury Cathedral, where he sang for almost five years. He went on to create the role of Maurice de Bracy in Sir Arthur Sullivan's grand opera, Ivanhoe, at the Royal English Opera House from January to July 1891.
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