| − | '''George London''' (May 30]], 1920 – March 24, 1985) was a [[Montreal]]-born concert and operatic bass-baritone. After extensive concertising with tenor [[Mario Lanza]] and soprano [[Frances Yeend]] as part of the [[Bel Canto Trio]] in 1947 and 1948, London was engaged by the [[Vienna State Opera]], with whom he scored his first major success in [[1949]]. He made his debut at [[New York City|New York's]] [[Metropolitan Opera]] in 1951. In 1958, London performed the leading role of [[Wotan]], in the groundbreaking recording of [[Richard Wagner]]'s opera ''[[Das Rheingold]]'', conducted by [[George Solti]], and produced by [[John Culshaw]] for [[Decca]]. A paralyzed vocal cord ended his singing career prematurely in 1967. | + | '''George London''' (May 30, 1920 – March 24, 1985) was a [[Montreal]]-born concert and operatic bass-baritone. After extensive concertising with tenor [[Mario Lanza]] and soprano [[Frances Yeend]] as part of the [[Bel Canto Trio]] in 1947 and 1948, London was engaged by the [[Vienna State Opera]], with whom he scored his first major success in [[1949]]. He made his debut at [[New York City|New York's]] [[Metropolitan Opera]] in 1951. In 1958, London performed the leading role of [[Wotan]], in the groundbreaking recording of [[Richard Wagner]]'s opera ''[[Das Rheingold]]'', conducted by [[George Solti]], and produced by [[John Culshaw]] for [[Decca]]. A paralyzed vocal cord ended his singing career prematurely in 1967. |
| | In 1971, London established the George London Foundation for Singers, which gives grants to young opera singers early in their careers. $57,000 is given each year to the winners of an annual competition.[http://www.georgelondon.org/home.html] From 1975 until 1980 he was general director of the [[Washington Opera]] (later the [[Washington National Opera]]). | | In 1971, London established the George London Foundation for Singers, which gives grants to young opera singers early in their careers. $57,000 is given each year to the winners of an annual competition.[http://www.georgelondon.org/home.html] From 1975 until 1980 he was general director of the [[Washington Opera]] (later the [[Washington National Opera]]). |