Edward Johnson – Operatic Tenor

Born: August 22, 1878
Died: April 20, 1959
Canadian Tenor.

The remarkable story of Edward Johnson begins in Ontario, Canada in 1878. A church soloist at the age of seven, his singing career was never in doubt.
On Caruso’s advice, he went to Florence in 1909 to work with Vincenzo Lombardi and as Eduardo Di Giovanni, he made his debut in Andrea Scenio in Padua in 1912.

Further important Italian appearances were at La Scala in Pasifal 1914 and in Rome, Il Tobaro and Gianni Schicchi in 1919.
His return to America was to the Chicago Opera where he was engaged from 1919 to 1922 and then to the Metropolitan Opera where he sang from 1922 to 1935.

Herbert Witherspoon had only succeeded Gatti Kisaza as manager of the Metropolitan for two years when he died suddenly, and Johnson was chosen as the new manager. He filled his position with distinction from 1935 until his retirement 15 years later in 1950.

It was he who instituted the auditions of the air and acquired an impressive company of young American singers. And he, who successfully guided the Metropolitan through the difficult war period.

Toronto’s Edward Johnson Building opened in 1962 to house the University’s Faculty of Music and Opera, a posthumous tribute to a career unique in the annals of opera.

Here he is singing an aria from Kurt Palmaire’s lovely opera, Louise.