Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

January 2, 1904 in Moultrie, GA

Death

:

April 21, 1961 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

James Melton was an American tenor and radio and television personality who was born on January 2, 1904, in Moultrie, Georgia. He was the son of a Methodist minister and grew up in various towns in Florida. Melton's love for music began at an early age, and he started singing in church choirs and school productions. He also learned to play the piano and the violin. Melton attended the University of Florida, where he studied law and music. He was a member of the university's glee club and performed in various musical productions. After graduating, he worked as a lawyer for a short time but soon realized that his true passion was music. In 1927, Melton moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. He started singing in nightclubs and on radio programs, and his talent was soon recognized by the famous conductor, Arturo Toscanini. Toscanini invited Melton to audition for the Metropolitan Opera, and he was offered a contract to sing with the company. Melton made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1929, singing the role of Rinuccio in Puccini's "Gianni Schicchi." He quickly became a favorite of audiences and critics alike, and he went on to sing many leading roles with the company, including Alfredo in Verdi's "La Traviata," Rodolfo in Puccini's "La Bohème," and Pinkerton in Puccini's "Madama Butterfly." In addition to his work with the Metropolitan Opera, Melton also had a successful career as a concert singer. He performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He also made numerous recordings, both as a solo artist and with other singers and musicians. Melton was also a popular radio and television personality. He hosted his own radio show, "The James Melton Show," which aired from 1936 to 1947. He also appeared on many television programs, including "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Bell Telephone Hour." Melton received many awards and honors throughout his career. In 1940, he was awarded the National Radio Award for Best Male Singer. He was also inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1989. In addition, he was awarded the Order of the Crown by the government of Belgium in recognition of his contributions to the arts. Melton retired from performing in the 1950s and moved to Florida, where he became involved in real estate development. He also continued to be active in the music world, serving as a board member of the Metropolitan Opera Guild and as a trustee of the University of Florida. James Melton died on April 21, 1961, at the age of 57. He was remembered as one of the greatest tenors of his time, with a voice that was both powerful and expressive. His contributions to the world of classical music and to the development of radio and television broadcasting will always be remembered.

More....