Elizabeth Foley McCormack recalls meeting her husband, tenor Count John McCormack.
Lily McCormack (1886 – 1971) was a young soprano with aspirations for a musical career when she first was introduced to a young singer at a concert in Athlone. Already well known tenor John McCormack (1884-1945) was suffering from laryngitis and unsure if he would be able to perform. A mutual acquaintance introduced them, telling John McCormack,
What you need is someone to look after you.
Early in his career John McCormack was advised to travel to Italy for further study. Retired opera singer Vincenzo Sabatini was deemed to be the best singing teacher so John McCormack set off for Milan.
The maestro was impressed with the young Irishman and declared that his usual teaching methods would be of no use, such was the calibre of McCormack's voice.
The Lord has done everything else.
John McCormack was a renowned vocalist who performed in operas and on the concert stages around the world. He also made hundreds of recordings. Honoured and decorated for his musical career, in 1928 he received the title of Papal Count from Pope Pius XI in recognition of work for Catholic charities.
From 'John McCormack Anniversary Programme’ broadcast on Radio Éireann on 16 September 1950. The presenter is John O’Donovan.
