John McCormack, Tenor by Doreen McFarlane
For Advent Café, we have been asked to preach about persons who have deeply imprinted their faith upon our hearts, and whose life moves forward the Biblical story of love and hope. In my case, that is without doubt, the great Irish tenor, John McCormack (1884-1945). A man of his time, his life and his singing touched hearts, gave courage in times of deep darkness, lifted souls to better understand the love of God. In addition to all this, he lightened every load with the sheer joy of his attitude about everything he did. When he was an opera singer in the world’s major opera houses, he made friends with fellow singers, spending tireless hours trying to teach the Italians to pronounce English. When world famous, he would still take the time to hold big parties in his apartments in New York that inevitably turned to music. He and Rachmaninoff would be found at the piano, gleefully performing and arguing about what the tempos should be, while Jasha Heifitz, the great violinist, would stay out of it by flipping eggs in the kitchen for a 4 am breakfast for all!
Dorothy Caruso, wife of the great tenor Enrico Caruso, said of him after his passing: “John
McCormack was so deep in loving kindness, so wide in understanding, so high in humility, that his voice, for all its beauty, might long ago have ceased, but still the measure of his great heart would have acclaimed him immortal.” John was a faithful and adoring husband, a wonderful father, a superb friend. He raised millions to help those in need during both world wars. He gave concerts to raise funds for the poor, for needy mothers, for the blind, and for his beloved Catholic Church. He sang recitals almost every day for 30 years, travelling by train from city to city. His recording legacy is vast, and still brings joy to adoring listeners. His great love of God serves as a clear model for us all. Remembered as the “preacher of song”, his faith shone forth in everything he did. He was a man of prayer and deep religious understanding. The Roman Catholic Church made him a Papal Count and, of all his honours and accolades, it was this of which he was by far the most proud.
Listen to him on YouTube and you will hear how every word he sang was a love message from the heart of God.