Edward Johnson 1878-1959

There are two plaques about this singer.
Both are in the City of Guelph and both can be seen on this page.

Photos by contributor Colin Old - Posted April, 2012

Plaque Location

The County of Wellington
The City of Guelph
On the east side of Cardigan Street
between London Road and Norwich Street

Coordinates: N 43 33.032 W 80 15.260

Plaque Text

Edward Johnson, musician, impresario and educator, was born and died and Guelph. After initial successes on Broadway, he went to Italy to study and emerged as one of the distinguished Tenors of a generation that also produced Caruso, Gigli and Martinelli. He sang for 23 years in the leading opera houses of the world before becoming general manager of the Metropolitan Opera Company (1935-50). During his tenure in New York and after his retirement and return to Canada, Edward Johnson worked to make opera a popular art on this continent and to develop North American singers.

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted August, 2004

Photo by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted December, 2011

Plaque Location

The County of Wellington
The City of Guelph
On the east side of Woolwich Street
just south of Marilyn Drive, south of Woodlawn Road

Coordinates: N 43 33.688 W 80 16.330

Plaque Text

Edward Johnson, one of the world's leading operatic tenors, was born in Guelph and lived for many years in a house which stood near this site. He studied in Italy and made his European debut in 1912 at Padua. During eight seasons he performed leading roles in Rome and at La Scala Theatre, Milan, and following extensive tours of Europe and South America, he joined the Chicago Opera Company in 1920. He became a principal member of the Metropolitan Opera Company, New York, in 1922, and from 1935-50 was general manager of the Metropolitan Opera Association. For many years he was also chairman of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. On retirement he devoted his time to the encouragement of young Canadian artists.

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