Melba's Mimì in La bohème when the opera house re-opened in 1919 after World War I. He also sang the Duke of Mantua, Pinkerton, and Count Almaviva in the same season. Burke performed at the Royal Albert Hall. In 1920 Burke continued singing at the Royal Opera House where he performed in several roles including the first English performances of Puccini's Gianni Schicchi and Il tabarro when he performed the parts of Rinuccio and Luigi respectively. Burke embarked on a North American career during the 1920s after accepting an offer from William Morris, a theatrical manager. He was billed as The Irish Tenor from his arrival and his first recital at the National Theatre (Washington, D.C.) on Tuesday 5 October 1920 was a varied program of operatic arias, ballads and Irish folk songs that received good reviews. He continued performing similar material until at least 1922 in a variety of locations including Washington D.C., Omaha and South Bend, Indiana. From 1923 to 1927 Tom appeared at Keith's Theatre, Washington D.C. where he often topped the bill of a variety performance. Burke returned to perform at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 1927 and 1928 performing as the Duke in Rigoletto and Turiddu in Pietro Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana. Burke continued singing in non-opera performances and sang in his home town, Leigh, in November 1927 and January 1928. Through the late 1920s and early 1930s Burke made recordings and appeared at live concerts such as the National Advertising Benevolent Society's Annual Festival. Recording career He had a significant recording career which included popular song, such as "The Minstrel Boy" as well as opera arias. His recording career began with Columbia Records in 1920 and continued with Dominion Records, Electric Imperial, American Columbias and other companies. A limited discography is available at Discogs and includes the following albums: The Last Of The Great - Tom Burke, Encore - Tom Burke, The Lancashire Caruso, A Toast To Tom Burke, and The Minstrel Boy. From 1932 to 1938 Burke appeared in four films, Gipsy Blood, a film version of Carmen in which he starred as Don José, Father O'Flynn in which he played the title role, Kathleen Mavoureen in which he played the leading male, Mike Rooney, and My Irish Molly in which he played Danny Gallagher. Later life In February 1932 Burke filed for voluntary bankruptcy from which he was released in July