Front:
JOHN MCCORMACK
STON
JUN
6.
1984
02205
Performing Arts USA 20c
MA
Back:
At the age of eighteen, John McCormack won the presti-
gious gold medal for tenors at Ireland's National Musical
Festival. It was the beginning of a long and glittering
musical career. McCormack made his operatic debut in
1905 playing the title role of Mascagni's L'Amico Fritz.
However, the real break he needed came at the Royal
Opera, Covent Garden where he played Turridu in
Cavalleria Rusticana. At twenty-three, he was the
youngest tenor to sing a major role at Covent Garden.
However, so great was McCormack's impact as a re-
citalist that his achievements at the opera were often
overlooked. Indeed, his fame soon spread to the point
that there was hardly an auditorium he could not fill to
overflowing. In 1919, John McCormack became an
American citizen. Nine years later, in 1928, the great
Irish tenor was elevated to the rank of Papal Peerage,
the honor he cherished above the many others he re-
ceived. Today, McCormack is remembered for his voice
of exquisite purity and for his amazing repertoire that
embraced both serious and popular music.
No. 84-30
©1984 The Maximum Card Collection
A Division of Unicover Corporation . Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007
Original painting by Tom Bjarnason.
