Lewis preferred to stay independent of The Royal Opera as a company singer, although engaged regularly as a freelance. Often in stock repertoire, but happier in the more unusual roles. He sang 'Traviata' and 'Butterfly' but felt that the repertoire was better left to Italian tenors.

He became a favourite with twentieth century composers creating several important new roles. His musicianship and a photographic memory gave him the ability to learn difficult music quickly, plus he had a knack of making it sound easy. He learned the role of the 'prince' in Boris Godunov in 24 hours!

Sir William Walton and Sir Michael Tippett both chose him to premier their new operas. Walton's 'Troilus and Cressida' premiered at Covent Garden in 1955 to huge success, was an ideal role for Richard, with it's soaring lyrical lines, and as his stage presence was handsome, ideal visually. (Compared to Stewart Granger at the time!) This work would take him to the USA (California). Later he premiered it in Australia with Marie Collier in the title role.

His association with Sir Michael Tippett was fruitful. Tippett would have no one else. His opera 'The Midsummer Marriage' in 1955 with Joan Sutherland is a difficult obscure work, but, never-the-less, a British opera in the arid world of British music evoked optimistic reviews. Then 'King Priam' (1962), with Forbes Robinson in the title role, had a stunning success with Richard singing the role of Achilles to universal acclaim.

In 1965 Georg Solti wanted to put on Schoenberg's 'Moses and Aaron'. It was in the heady Solti days, when the conductor lifted the house to great heights, having a particular love of British artists. 'Moses' was presented with Forbes Robinson as a magnificent Moses and Lewis as Aaron.

With Peter Hall producing, and leaks about what it was all about, it became a talked about, sensational production. Orgy scenes, simulated sex, a few bare bosoms, rivers of blood (pretend!) and three naked virgins, and enormous crowd scenes, this resulted in huge press interest with black market tickets on sale. It was particularly successful for Lewis and Robinson. Later he would sing the role in France (in French) and the USA (in Boston and New York) in English.

 

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