Anthony Rolfe Johnson

The English tenor Anthony Rolfe Johnson was born in Oxfordshire on 5 November 1940 and studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London with Ellis Keeler and Vera Rosza, after an earlier career in agriculture. He began singing with Glyndebourne Festival Chorus in the 1970s and his first substantial solo role was as Vaudemont in Tchaikovsky's Iolanta with the English Opera Group.

In addition to opera performances worldwide, he sang Bach, Britten, Handel and Haydn in the concert hall, gave many song recitals with Graham Johnson, was a member of the Songmakers' Almanac and was involved with the Gregynog Festival from 1988 until 2006.

He died on 21 July 2010, of Alzheimer's disease, aged 69.

A selection of articles about Anthony Rolfe Johnson

CD Spotlight. Perfection - Benjamin Britten folksong arrangements, recommended by Howard Smith. '... this release is worth several times it's weight in gold.'

DVD Spotlight. Wonderfully varied - Monteverdi's 'Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... moving drama and notable accomplishment.'

CD Spotlight - An indispensable collection. '... indefatigably intelligent, sensitive and musical.' The final volume of Hyperion's Schubert Edition, explored by Peter Dale