Edward Johnson

Although more regularly remembered as an over-all manager from the Metropolitan Opera, Edward Johnson was a tenor of some distinction, having received acclaim both in Europe and in NY a long time before his administrative appointment. Being a vocalist, his capability to professional both lyric and spinto assignments was valued and he was asked for many significant premieres. The musicianship and thoroughness in planning evidenced during his performing profession helped him instruction the Metropolitan Opera through the financial vicissitudes from the Unhappiness years and the next lack of many Western european artists because of WWII. During his years as supervisor, many American performers began important professions. Johnson’s musical passions were evidenced young as he participated in chapel choirs and sang several solo shows. His father got meant that Johnson pursue a profession in regulation, but during his 1st yr at Toronto College or university, he was asked to replacement for a soloist struggling to appear to get a choral concert. Told that he previously an exceptional tone of voice and must cultivate it, Johnson still left for NY to undertake critical research. Johnson was suggested for the creation of Oscar Straus’ Waltzertraum, was selected for the tenor business lead, and discovered himself producing 700 dollars weekly, the majority of which he kept. Once the operate was finished, Johnson declined many handsome presents to instead happen to be Italy to comprehensive his schooling with Vincenzo Lombardi, Enrico Caruso’s vocal trainer. After producing his debut as Edoardo di Giovanni within a 1912 Padua creation of Andrea Chénier, the tenor discovered himself over the pathway to stardom. Within 2 yrs, he started a half-decade association with La Scala by performing Parsifal beneath the path of Arturo Toscanini. During his tenure there, he obtained recognition among the country’s most important tenors, being successful in roles which range from lyric to dramatic. Following loss of life of his wife, Beatriz da Veiga, Vicountess d’Arniero, Johnson produced his formal American operatic debut using the Chicago Opera Firm in 1919. He continued to be there until 1922, performing roles such as for example Loris in Fedora (where his “Amor ti Vieta” drew an extended ovation) and a genuine interest: conductor Gino Marinuzzi’s Jacquerie (not really a achievement). In 1922, Johnson was summoned towards the Metropolitan Opera, where he provided himself for his November 16 debut as Avito in L’amore dei tre re. Critics had been impressed by his visual appearance, dignified bearing, as well as for a tone of voice considered by W.J. Henderson simply because “moderately great.” Quickly thereafter, Johnson demonstrated the versatility that could make him therefore highly respected when, in Puccini’s triptych, he repeated both intensely dramatic Luigi in Il tabarro as well as the fresh Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi he previously sung in the globe premieres. He afterwards sang Pelléas (apparently his favorite part) in the Metropolitan’s 1st creation, aswell as tenor protagonists in La Vestale, Sadko, I Pagliacci, Fra Gherardo, The King’s Henchman, Peter Ibbetson, and Merry Support (the latter’s three all premieres). Called Metropolitan Opera associate general supervisor in 1935, Johnson was produced general supervisor upon the loss of life of Herbert Witherspoon simply two months later on. His cautious strategy helped the business survive the Melancholy years, while his cultivation of youthful American performers was both instantly required and artistically productive in the long run. While delegating some obligations, Johnson got personal fascination with these performers. After retiring in 1950, Johnson became panel chairman at Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music.