This audio documentary feature celebrating the centenary of the birth of the legendary great tenor Jon Vickers has been made exclusively for the Hampsong Foundation.  Jon Vickers as artist and man is recalled and discussed by highly distinguished commentators: sopranos Grace Bumbry and Renata Scotto, baritone Thomas Hampson, conductors Sir Colin Davis and Sir Edward Downes, and scholar David Cairns; also, Jon Vickers himself remembers highlights from his life and career and discusses some of the roles we hear him sing.

The musical illustrations feature Jon Vickers performing extracts some of his most acclaimed opera roles – Aeneas, Don José, Florestan, Peter Grimes, Otello, Tristan – as well as an aria from The Messiah, a lied from Winterreise, and an Irish folk song.  The feature is hosted and produced by Jon Tolansky who recorded the interviews with all the contributors, including Jon Vickers.  The duration is 2 hours 21 minutes.

– Jon Tolansky

Listen to JON VICKERS – A CENTENARY MEMOIR here: