Death of a fine English tenor, 89
RIPWe have been notified of the death of John Mitchinson, Lancashire tenor and stalwart of Welsh and English National Operas.
John made notable recordings of Mahler with Bernstein, Wyn Morris and Alexander Gibson, and of Elgar, Martinu and Janacek with Simon Rattle. He was a much sought after teacher.
His wife, the Welsh mezzo-soprano Maureen Guy, died in 2015.
The tenor in one of the very greatest Das Lieds ever, with Horenstein. If you’ve never hear it, seek it out.
Absolutely astonishing.
Thanks for the tip. I don’t have anyone’s version in my collection. Amazon have a couple of used copies. Now ordered.
RIP He did a pretty decent job as Tristan with WNO under Goodall. Unfortunately for him, Covent Garden were fielding Jon Vickers in the role at much the same time. That rather eclipsed his achievement. I have it on both CD and vinyl. A long time since I’ve played any vinyl. Perhaps it’s time to dig it out in memoriam.
RIP: a fine tenor, have him on recordings of Berlioz Lelio and Wagner’s Rienzi.
Wonderful Glagoltic Mass tenor.
Thank you for the reminder. That Rattle Glagolitic is my go-to version. I’m ashamed to say that I had forgotten that he was the tenor.
I heard him sing the Verdi Requiem and he had the best mezza voce I ever heard in the Hostias.
I wish it was the whole work Mitchinson is the tenor soloist!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijhiFU-94xA
Fine memories of Mitchinson in a 1975 performance of DAS LIED VON DER ERDE in Mexico City’s Belles Artes. Was in the city on a work assignment, and it was a splendid ‘evening at leisure’.
A very fine tenor, not just in the big roles such as Wagner, Mahler and Waldemar in Gurrelieder but also excellent in English song. Also a most encouraging teacher and a great character. His Das Lied with Jascha Horenstein and the wonderful Alfreda Hodgson is unsurpassed
This recording was available in the 1970s on the dirt-cheap CFP label. Being a penniless teen I bought it, and my love of Mahler started right there.
RIP. A regular on the concert circuit when I began my concert going career. I treasure his fine recordings. Das Lied under Alexander Gibson with the , rather neglected, Alfreda Hodgson
Check out his performance of “Le Pêcheur” in the Boulez recording of Berlioz’s “Lélio, ou le Retour à la Vie, op. 14b.”
I also seem to remember one of the most comprehensive (i.e. little cuts) versions of Rienzi under Edward Downes.
Plus, a favorite of mine: Rossini’s Messa di Gloria under Herbert Handt, a recording that needs to be re-issued on a proper CD but probably never will.
RIP fine tenor.
I was fortunate enough to sing with John in quite a few concerts. He was a wonderful colleague…kind, supportive and fun to be with! His Verdi Requiem and Glagolitic Mass were superb. I will always remember his tenor solo in Mahler 8….just so moving. He was such a fine singer and such a lovely man.
Descansa en pau Mestre.
Will never forget him in the Singapore premiere of Song of the Earth in 1989, alongside Taru Valjakka, and conductor Choo Hoey with the Singapore Symphony. A true landmark performance. Thanks for the memories.
I suspect that this story is now past its sell-by date, but I have just come across another admirable Mitchinson recording in my collection: Solano in Delius’s The Magic Fountain.
Interesting opera, if not an all-time masterpiece. I’d love to see a performance, but I’m curious to know what the thought police would do with the dialogue.
No problem in changing “Indian” to “Native American” in the stage directions, but what about Watawa’s lines “So the red man becoming tame…” and “…by the hated paleface.”?
I was lucky enough to know John as a friend, teacher and one time mentor.
I heard him sing almost all of the roles mentioned in the comments here, but for me his Gerontius remains unsurpassed.
John stayed with me during the recording with Rattle in Birmingham with Dame Janet the ultimate Angel. I was lucky enough to be in on the recording sessions and they are unforgettable.
RIP John, your legacy as an artist, singer and teacher live on in so many you touched.