Often referred to as the Irish Caruso, John
McCormack was born in Athlone in 1884.
He made his debut in Italy at the age of only
22 and the next year sang in Cavalleria
Rusticana in Covent Garden where he
received much critical acclaim. He became
an internationally known tenor and was asked
to perform at the Manhattan Opera in 1909.
He had a beautiful voice and a very
extrovert personality, and made a
fortune, becoming America's foremost
tenor when the great Caruso died. He sang
with the great singers such as Dame
Nellie Melba and Tetrazzini and even Bing
Crosby!He was made a Papal Count in
1928 for his services to the Catholic
Church and charities.He died in 1945.
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