ANTHONY ROLFE JOHNSON REMEMBERED

by Bill Breakstone, Somers, NY, July 29, 2010

The English lyric tenor Anthony Rolfe Johnson died on July 21, 2010 in London at the age of 69 from Alzheimer’s disease.

Mr. Rolfe Johnson was a relative latecomer to opera and oratorio stages, not beginning his formal training until the age of 30. He was widely regarded as a leading exponent of the early music and baroque repertoire, though he also performed music from the classical to contemporary periods, including the operas of Benjamin Britten.

He arrived on the music scene just as the Handel revival entered full swing, and had long associations with two of the music world’s leading conductors of that music, namely Sir Neville Mariner and Sir John Elliot Gardiner, and made many prize-winning recordings with each of the works of Monteverdi, Bach and Handel.

He was by far my favorite tenor in this repertoire. Though Handel’s most famous arias were composed for castrato and soprano voices, he did leave behind many brilliant pieces for tenors. The arias Where Er’e You Walk from Semele and Waft Her Angels To The Sky from Jeptha are as fine as any Handel conceived, and Rolfe Johnson’s interpretations were of an unmatched level of artistry and tonal beauty. Likewise, two of the tenor arias in Solomon for Zadok, Sacred raptures cheer my breast and Golden columns fair and bright are among my favorite Handel excerpts, and Rolfe Johnson’s interpretations were of the highest caliber.

It was some 15 years ago that my mother died from Alzheimer’s, thus I know well the tragedy of this terrible disease. To witness the demise of one of the world’s most accomplished vocal artists to this withering affliction must have been heartbreaking for his family, friends and musical colleagues. He will be sorely missed, but happily remembered for the artistry he attained.