Thursday, July 22, 2010

Anthony Rolfe Johnson

I'm sorry to read this morning of the death of tenor Anthony Rolfe Johnson, 69, of Alzheimer's disease. He never sang at San Francisco Opera and I never heard him live, but I've got some of his excellent recordings. Rest in peace.

2 comments:

Henry Holland said...

I only heard him live once, as Gustave von Aschenbach at the Met in the early 90's, and he was incredible, so nice to hear that amazing music so well sung.

He's also to. die. for. as the Earl of Essex on the ENO DVD of Gloriana, if only Britten's music was as consistently beautifully sung as the Two Lute Songs are in that performance.

RIP.

Laraine said...

I have only just heard this very sad news. I didn't even know he had Alzheimer's. Condolences to his family.