Birth

:

May 30, 1920 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Death

:

March 23, 1985 in Armonk, NY

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

George London was a renowned American bass-baritone who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Born in Montreal, Canada, on May 30, 1920, as George Burnstein, he was the youngest of ten children in a Jewish family. His parents were immigrants from Russia, and they moved to the United States when George was a child. The family settled in Los Angeles, where George grew up and attended high school. George's interest in music began at an early age, and he started singing in his school choir. He also took piano lessons and played in a jazz band. After high school, he enrolled at Los Angeles City College, where he studied music and drama. He then transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles, where he earned a degree in music. In 1941, George joined the United States Navy and served as a radio operator during World War II. After the war, he returned to Los Angeles and began his professional singing career. He changed his last name to London, which he felt was more suitable for a performer. George made his operatic debut in 1949 with the Central City Opera in Colorado, where he sang the role of Monterone in Verdi's Rigoletto. He then joined the New York City Opera, where he sang many leading roles, including Don Giovanni, Figaro, and Escamillo. In 1951, he made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where he sang the role of Amonasro in Verdi's Aida. He went on to sing many other roles at the Met, including Wotan in Wagner's Ring Cycle, Boris Godunov, and Scarpia in Puccini's Tosca. George was known for his powerful voice, his dramatic presence on stage, and his ability to convey emotion through his singing. He was also a skilled actor and often played complex characters with depth and nuance. He was particularly renowned for his interpretation of Wagner's music, which he sang with great passion and intensity. In addition to his operatic career, George was also a successful 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 recorded many albums of classical music, including a highly acclaimed recording of Wagner's Tristan und Isolde with conductor Karl Böhm. Throughout his career, George received many awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1957, he was awarded the Handel Medallion by the City of New York for his outstanding achievements in music. He was also awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Ronald Reagan in 1985. In 1990, he was inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame. George retired from singing in 1975 and devoted himself to teaching and mentoring young singers. He taught at the Juilliard School in New York and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He also founded the George London Foundation for Singers, which provides financial support and career guidance to young opera singers. George London died on March 24, 1985, at the age of 64. He left behind a legacy of great performances, recordings, and teaching that continue to inspire and influence generations of classical musicians. His contribution to the world of opera and classical music will always be remembered and celebrated.

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