Birth

:

April 27, 1923

Death

:

December 28, 2012

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

John Carol Case was a renowned British baritone who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. He was born on February 11, 1924, in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. His father was a schoolmaster, and his mother was a pianist. Case showed an early interest in music and began singing in the choir of Salisbury Cathedral at the age of eight. Case received his education at the Royal Grammar School in Guildford and later at the Royal College of Music in London. He studied under the guidance of renowned vocal coaches such as Roy Henderson and Herbert Howells. During his time at the Royal College of Music, Case won several awards, including the prestigious Queen's Prize for singing. Case made his professional debut in 1947 at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, where he played the role of the Count in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro." He quickly gained recognition for his rich, warm voice and his ability to convey emotion through his performances. He went on to perform in several other operas, including "Don Giovanni," "The Magic Flute," and "Carmen." In addition to his work in opera, Case was also a prolific concert singer. He performed in many of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including the Royal Albert Hall in London and Carnegie Hall in New York. He was particularly renowned for his performances of the works of Benjamin Britten, and he worked closely with the composer throughout his career. One of Case's most significant achievements was his performance in the world premiere of Britten's "War Requiem" in 1962. The piece was written to commemorate the dead of World War II, and Case's performance of the baritone solo was widely praised for its emotional depth and sensitivity. Case also had a successful recording career, with many of his performances being released on record and CD. He recorded several albums of Britten's music, including "The Rape of Lucretia" and "Billy Budd," as well as recordings of works by other composers such as Schubert and Brahms. Throughout his career, Case received many awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1979 and was awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977. He was also awarded honorary doctorates from several universities, including the University of Sussex and the University of Exeter. Case retired from performing in 1984 but continued to work as a vocal coach and mentor to young singers. He was known for his generosity and kindness, and many of his former students went on to have successful careers in the music industry. John Carol Case passed away on February 12, 1989, at the age of 65. He left behind a legacy as one of the most talented and respected baritones of his generation, and his contributions to classical music continue to be celebrated and remembered today.

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