Tenor, born in Athlone, near Dublin, Ireland. He studied in Milan, made his London debut in 1905, and was engaged by Covent Garden opera for the 19056 season, appearing also in oratorio and as a Lieder singer. As an Irish nationalist, he did not appear in England during World War 1, but took US citizenship in 1919, and turned to popular sentimental songs. He was raised to the papal peerage as a count in 1928.
John McCormack (14 June 1884 - 16 September 1945), was a world-famous Irish tenor in the fields of opera and popular music, and renowned for his flawless diction and superb breath control.
John Francis McCormack was born in Athlone, Ireland, the fourth of eleven children of Andrew and Hannah Watson on 14 June 1884, and was baptised in St. Mary's Church, Athlone on 23 June 1884.
John received his early education from the Marist Brothers in Athlone, and later attended Summerhill College, Sligo.
Fundraising enabled his voice to be trained under Sabbatini in Italy.
He made numerous recordings, the first on phonograph cylinder in 1904.
In 1917 he became a naturalized citizen of the United States.
To many people the highlight of McCormack's Irish career was his singing of César Franck's "Panis Angelicus" to the thousands who thronged Dublin's Phoenix Park for the 1932 Eucharistic Congress.
He was much honoured and decorated for his services to the world of music. Although he often came to be referred to as "Count John McCormack" in his professional life, this title was officially recognised within only the Catholic Church.
McCormack retired in 1944, and died the following year at his home in Glena, Booterstown, Dublin.
Bibliography
The Great Irish Tenor: John McCormack, by Gordon T Ledbetter, Town House, 2003.
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