Famous Tenor Is To Retire

Radio Record, 9 December 1938, Page 23

Famous Tenor Is To Retire

THIRTEEN years ago John McCormack announced that when he reached the age of 50, he would» retire from the concert platform, | and no power on earth would bring — him back, except the cause of. charity. | Although he had reache’ 54 before he gave his farewell recital in the Albert Hall the other day to an enthusiastic, overflowing audience of friends, it was not.

entirely John’s fault that his decision was not carried out to the letter. And this saving clause that only charity would bring him back to sing in public again may account for future occasional appearances, for John McCormack is one of the kindest and most generous souls alive. No one grudges him his success and his great wealth. John MeCormack never got swell-headed or regarded great possessions as anything but as something of which he was a irustee to administer for the benefit of those less fortunate, . His nature and sterling character made him the great singer he was, and his rise from obscurity to world fame will go down as one of the romances of musical history.