Internationally renowned opera singer remembered fondly by P.A. music community

“Nobody had a voice like Jon Vickers.”

Born in Prince Albert in 1926, Vickers got his big break after earning a scholarship to the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

“He was actually nudged by the famous poet John V. Hicks, who is from Prince Albert as well, to actually take his career international, or take it on as an actual career trajectory,” explained McCaffery. “I think having that confidence he actually took a chance and became world renowned.”

McCaffery said Vickers is a great inspiration for anybody from a small town.

“They think, ‘Only successful people come from larger areas’…not true, and I think Jon Vickers is an absolute example of that,” said McCaffery. “Sometimes the greatest people come from humble beginnings.”

Smaller communities can offer more input and artists tend to have more direct contact with people around them, said McCaffery. He said he believes that small communities foster creativity locally.

“They like to support and see local talent make it,” McCaffery said.

Vickers made is Royal Opera debut in 1957 and just a few years later he was a regular at New York’s Metropolitan Opera, which McCaffery referred to as one of the most prestigious opera companies in North America.

“I think his moniker was ‘greatest voice of the 20th century’, so I think that kind of speaks for itself,” said McCaffery.

Vickers was often brought back for certain roles that he had become an icon playing, McCaffery said.

Although Vickers was known mostly for opera, McCaffery said he believes classical music is crucial to even modern music.

“No matter what genre you’re singing in, whether it’s country or popular music, it all goes back to classical roots,” McCaffery said.

Many old albums that Vickers’ music was featured on have since been turned into CDs. This means, people are able to continue to enjoy and appreciate it.

“I think he will live on forever in the hearts and the minds of, not only the opera community, but the classical music community and people who appreciate all of those classics right across the world,” said McCaffery.

“…To inspire a new realm of classical musicians, and people like us, who enjoy listening to the classics.”

Vickers performed for 30 years before retiring in 1988. The singer was awarded many honorary degrees, two Grammy Awards and the Order of Canada. His wife, Henrietta, died in 1991.

With files from Jill Lawless, The Associated Press.

asoloducha@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alex_soloducha

by Alex Soloducha

Internationally renowned opera singer remembered fondly by P.A. music community

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