Vickers, Jon (1926-2015), a Canadian singer, was one of the leading opera stars of his time. Vickers was a dramatic tenor (Heldentenor in German). A Heldentenor is a tenor with a rich, powerful voice possessing a strong lower range. He became famous for the intensity of his portrayals of troubled heroes, especially in operas written by the German composer Richard Wagner .
Vickers was in some ways a controversial figure, known for his rages and for fierce battles with conductors, directors, and opera company administrators. Throughout his career, Vickers did his best to avoid publicity and the press. He remained a hugely respected figure for his passionate commitment to his art, his detailed preparation for his roles, and the interpretive insight of both his singing and acting.
During his 30-year career, Vickers gained international recognition for his performances in Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde , Parsifal , and The Valkyrie. He also won acclaim for his performances in the title roles in Samson and Delilah by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns , and in Peter Grimes by the British composer Benjamin Britten . He was also noted for his performance as Aeneas in The Trojans by the French composer Hector Berlioz . Vickers also performed extensively in oratorios, especially in Samson and Messiah by the German composer George Frideric Handel . Many of his portrayals have been documented in outstanding recordings.
Jonathan Stewart Vickers was born on Oct. 29, 1926, in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He won scholarships to study at Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music for three years, beginning in 1950. Vickers began singing professionally in Canada at about the same time. He made his professional opera debut in 1954 and his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in 1960 in Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci . Vickers retired in 1988. He died on July 10, 2015.
