McCormack, John. (1884-1945)
Funny Autograph Note
Amusing ANS from the great Irish tenor, who writes to a collector "I'm glad you think I'm worthy of being included with the 'Great.' I just feel satisfied to be called fairly good. John McCormack." In fine condition, 8 x 5.5 cm, together with a bookstock trimmed photograph."Being by his own admission a poor actor, he decided to abandon the stage...His concert work revealed him to be a remarkable interpreter, not only of Handel, Mozart and the Italian classics, but also of German lieder....McCormack's numerous recordings show the singular sweetness of his tone and perfection of his style and technique in his prime - for example, in his famous version of Mozart's 'Il mio tesoro' and in Handel's 'O Sleep' (Semele) and 'Come, my beloved' (i.e. 'Care selve' from Atlanta) - while later records of lieder and of Irish folksongs illustrate other aspects of his versatile art. He was always, according to Ernest Newman, 'a patrician artist...with a respect for art that is rarely met with among tenors.'" (Desmond Shawe-Taylor, Grove Online) (11229)
Signed Photograph Opera