July 22nd, 2010
One of the most widely recognized British tenors, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, died yesterday at the age of 69 of complications stemming from a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Though his talent was broadly applicable, Johnson was well known for championing the works of British composers such as George Butterworth, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and in particular Benjamin Britten. His discography also includes celebrated recordings of Bach, Handel and Mozart with John Eliot Gardiner.
Johnson earned his position as one of the premier tenors of the past century through a unique and diverse career that had surprisingly simple beginnings. Originally a farmer, he was convinced at a relatively late age to train at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama as a vocalist. His first public performances were small roles in productions that were part of the annual Glyndebourne Festival. However, Johnson quickly proved he possessed a rare talent. He was awarded the role of Count Vaudemount in the English Opera Group's 1973 production of Tchaikovsky's Iolanta where he impressed both audiences and critics alike.
During his career, Johnson engaged in an impressively broad range of operatic repertoire. Accounts of his performances in Monteverdi's Return of Ulysses, Mozart's Idomeneo, and Britten's Saint Nicolas all testify to his enormous presence and subtle interpretation.
Johnson made many important contributions outside of performance: he was instrumental in re-initiating and directing the Gregynog Music Festival, taught at the Guildhall School of Music in London, and held master classes around the world. Among his many honors, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1992.
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by Daniel Eno
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