Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

November 5, 1940

Death

:

July 21, 2010

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Anthony Rolfe Johnson was a renowned English tenor who was born on November 5, 1940, in Tackley, Oxfordshire, England. He was the youngest of three children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a church organist, and his mother was a singer. Johnson's love for music was evident from a young age, and he began singing in his church choir at the age of seven. Johnson attended the Royal College of Music in London, where he studied under the tutelage of Hervey Alan, a renowned baritone. He graduated in 1963 and began his career as a professional singer. Johnson's early performances were in oratorio and opera productions in England, and he quickly gained a reputation for his powerful and expressive voice. In 1972, Johnson made his debut at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera in the role of Ferrando in Mozart's "Così fan tutte." This performance was a turning point in his career, and he went on to perform in many other productions at Glyndebourne, including the role of Don Ottavio in Mozart's "Don Giovanni" and the title role in Britten's "Albert Herring." Johnson's international career took off in the 1980s, and he became a regular performer at major opera houses around the world, including the Royal Opera House in London, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and the Paris Opera. He was particularly renowned for his performances in the operas of Mozart, Britten, and Handel. One of Johnson's most memorable performances was in the role of the Evangelist in Bach's "St. Matthew Passion" at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1992. This performance was widely acclaimed, and Johnson's interpretation of the role was considered one of the finest of his generation. Johnson was also a prolific recording artist, and he recorded many of the major works of the classical repertoire. His recordings of Handel's "Messiah" and Britten's "War Requiem" are considered definitive interpretations of these works. Throughout his career, Johnson received many awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1993, he was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to music. He was also awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Singer Award in 1995 and the Gramophone Award for Best Opera Recording in 1996. Johnson continued to perform well into his sixties, and his final performance was in the role of the Emperor in Puccini's "Turandot" at the Royal Opera House in London in 2010. He retired from performing shortly after this performance due to health issues. Anthony Rolfe Johnson passed away on July 21, 2010, at the age of 69. He was widely regarded as one of the finest tenors of his generation, and his contributions to classical music will be remembered for many years to come.

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