JOHN CHARLES THOMAS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 85, 7 February 1941, Page 4

JOHN CHARLES THOMAS

Sir,-As a regular reader of The Listener, I have been surprised that so far no biographical notes have been published on the American baritone, John Charles Thomas. Would it be possible either througn your paper, or by letter, to supply me with some information regarding this singer, and to advise me if he is any relative of another baritone, Thomas L. Thomas, who is featuring in the programmes lately? A photograph in your paper would also be appre-ciated.-K. R. Berry (Christchurch). John Charles Thomas is a grand opera, lieder, and ballad singer whose recitals range from classics to cowboy songs. He originally intended to become a doctor, but after studying medicine for a year, competed with 80 other candidates for a scholarship at Peabody Conservatoire in Baltimore and won. Three years at that institution ended in an audition with Henry Savage, which resulted in an engagement that gained him the reputation of being the highest-paid artist in musical comedy. He was, however, ambitious, and gave as much time as he could to lieder repertory, and while in Brussels was given a contract at the Royal Opera. His debut in Brussels in ‘‘ Herodiada’"’ was followed by engagements to sing at Covent Garden, London, and in Berlin, Vienna, and with the Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco opera companies. He is now a member of the New York Metropolitan Opera Company. Because John Charles Thomas has made several splendid records of negro songs there is a persistent idea that he is a negro, which, of course, is not the case. John Charles is not related to Thomas L.