The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-13
Edward ] Johnson,
Considered First
Dramatic Tenor
in Italy, Returns
in Fall After Ten
Years Absence
Story of His Re-
markable Career
By LUCIEN CLEVES.

~ FEVER since the first appear
ance of Ernestine Schumann-
Heink in this country has
there been the same preliminary in
terest in a contralto that there is In
the famous Italian who will be heard
next winter at the Metropolitan Opera
House. Gabrielle Besanzoni Is the
name of this young woman, who has
everywhere met with great success.
Just now she is In this city, and has
indeed been here since last winter.
when she came to this part of the
world to sing in Cuba and Mexico.
There she was known, since 1t was In
Spain that Nine. Besanzoni made her
first success outside of her native
land. She was born In Rome and
there she made her first success. She
had been sineing for six years. In
evitably the call to the Argentine fol-
lowed and she met with equal favor
there. She has also appeared with
great success in Brazil. The famous
singer arrived here with no intention
OF making a contract. She merely
stopped in this city for a few days
en- her way to sing in Mexico. 1t was
then that the musical managers heard
OF her presence and Giulio Gatti-
Casazza engaged her for performances
at the Metropolitan Opera House. She
viii also be heard in concert.
An American Tenor I'm Return.
Edward johnson, who is to-day con-
sidered the first dramatic tenor in
TIA tn 10
fall. After an absence of nearly ten
years the former concert and light
opera star will be heard in both grand
opera and concert. His operate en-
gagements will be with the Chicago
Opera Association and his concert
oates will again be in the hands Of
nis own managers and friends, the
Wolfsohn Bureau. Eddie" Johnson
as he was better known to the Ameri-
can public, has been in no manner
forgotten, His name is still fresh in the
oratorio his name Is still fresh In the
memory Of thousands OF music lovers
all over this country and Canada, and
his singing at such famous festivals
as Cincinnati and Worcester has won
him a reputation that could not be
forgotten within the space of ten or
a dozen years. While 1t Is true the
names of many prominent singers
soon fade from the public mind, John
son is one Of the few who have been
continually doing things that have re-
freshed the public's memory from
time to time. In the light opera world
johnson had q brief but interesting
career. His singing of the tenor role
in the Waltz Dream" by Oscar
Straus. proved a sensation in the
theatrical world, and within a few
months after his debut he was hailed
rs the greatest tenor in the field OF
Hight opera
He still IL Eddie johnson.
In Italy the land of Johnson'i
greatest achievements, he is known Il
the music loving Italians as EdouardC
di Giovanni. Whether he will retair
his foreign name when he returns
will be determined when he gets here
but to his many admirers he will still
he Eddie johnson, and no doubt hi
old title will suit him better, for IN
spite of the fact that the singer Il
looked upon in Italy as an adopted
son, he has never forgotten that h,
got his start In America and to hi
stanch American friends he owes hi
start In the musical world. Since hi
success In opera johnson has hat
many offers to return to America, an,
no doubt would have done 50 had
not been that his beautiful an
talented italian wife, to whom John
son owes SO much OF his success, OBJ
Jected until the time came when h
could return to his home land and b
looked upon as an opera star of tn
FIRST magnitude. 1t can truthful!y b
said that no dramatic tenor In Ital,
surpasses Edward johnson in the min
OF the public. for not only is he locke
upon as great singer but also
great artist, II Is said that such wei
known composers as Puccini, Monte
mezzi, Mascagni and others came (
him personally and requested that h
create the leading tenor roles In thei
operas. He did create the tenor par
in italy OF Puccini's "Gianni Schicci,
and the two successes Of Montemezz
"L'Amore DEF Ire Re" and la Nave.
The latter is scheduled to open tn
Chicago season both in the home cit
4es.sir -