Born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, he was the sixth in a family of eight children. In 1950, he was awarded a scholarship to study opera at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. In 1957 Vickers joined London’s Royal Opera House, Covent Garden company. In 1960 he joined the Metropolitan Opera. He became world-famous for a wide range of German, French, and Italian roles. Vickers' huge, powerful voice and solid technique met the demands of many French, German, and Italian roles. He was also highly regarded for his powerful stage presence and thoughtful characterizations.[1] (Conversely, he was sometimes criticized for "scooping"—beginning a note below pitch and then sliding up to the correct pitch—and for "crooning".[2])
Vickers was born into the musical family of William, a teacher and school principal, and Myrle (née Mossop). As a youth he sang in his father's church, and his initial intention was to study medicine. He worked on a neighbour's farm and acquired the muscular stature that characterized him. During a semi-professional production his leading lady made a recording of his voice and sent it to The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. He auditioned there with Every Valley Shall be Exalted and was offered a scholarship.[21]
In 1953 he married Henrietta (Hetti) Outerbridge. They had five children. After her death in 1991, he married Judith Stewart.[21] Vickers died of Alzheimer's disease on July 10, 2015, in Ontario.[22][23]
Religionedit
He was a dedicated, outspoken Protestant; one writer referred to him as "God's tenor" for this reason.[24]
Discographyedit
Vickers' voice was recorded in dozens of performances, including:[10]
^ ab"Canadian-born tenor Jon Vickers dies". Royal Opera House. July 11, 2015. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
^Classical Music: The Listener's Companion (2002), ed. Alexander J. Morin, pp. 1038
^ ab"Remembering Jon Vickers 1926–2015". Metropolitan Opera. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
^"Mort du ténor Jon Vickers, interprète inoubliable d'Enée et d'Otello". Le Monde (in French). July 13, 2015. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
^ abcJon Vickers: A Hero's Life (1999) by Jeannie Williams and Birgit Nilsson
^ abcCooper, Katherine (July 13, 2015). "Obituary – Jon Vickers". Presto Classical. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
^"Messiah". Classical Net. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
^"Jon Vickers obituary". The Guardian. July 12, 2015. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
^Baker, John (July 13, 2015). "Farewell to Canadian-born Tenor Jon Vickers". Texas Public Radio. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
^Cohen, Steve (January 1, 2011). "Tannhäuser': Blasphemy or piety". Broad Street Review. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
^Henahan, Donal (May 10, 1983). "MUSIC: BERLIOZ'S 'CELLINI'". The New York Times. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
^"Chicago Classical Review » » Vickers' Moor revisited and Domingo's "Otello" farewell". Retrieved August 29, 2021.
^Crory, Neil (June 30, 2001), "New York", Opera Canada, vol. 42, no. 1, p. 34, retrieved September 9, 2013
^Winters, Ken (April 16, 2005), "Classical: Recital will long shine in the memory", The Globe and Mail, p. R6, retrieved September 9, 2013
^Tommasini, Anthony (July 12, 2015). "Jon Vickers, Opera Star Known for His Raw Power and Intensity, Dies at 88". The New York Times. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
^ abBarker, Frank Granville; Blyth, Alan (July 10, 2015), "Obituaries", The Guardian, p. 35, retrieved July 14, 2015
^William R. Braun (July 11, 2015). "Jon Vickers, 88, Heroic Canadian Tenor, Has Died". Opera News.