Nov 16, 2018

Artist Profile: Lawrence Tibbett, Verdi Baritone & Oscar Winner

How many opera singers could claim to have been nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards?

Lawrence Tibbett can.

Born on Nov. 16, 1896, the American baritone grew up in Los Angeles singing in church choirs and at funerals to survive after his father was killed in a shootout when he was but seven years old. He served as a Merchant Marine during World War I and studied in New York City thereafter.

At age 26, he signed his first contract for $60 a week, singing at the Metropolitan Opera. His first leading role was as Valentin in “Faust” in 1923. He would become a fixture with the company, singing over 600 performances between 1923 and 1950. He also became an exclusive artist of RCA Victor / Victor Talking Machine Company.

But he was more than just an opera singer. Once he was done with the opera stage he took on musicals and plays.

He was nominated for the Best Actor Award at the Academy Awards for his first film, “The Rogue Song.” Unfortunately, only a few minutes of footage of the film survives today. He also appeared in a number of other films including “New Moon,” “The Cuban Love Song,” and “Mexican Spitfire.”

He also worked together with famed violinist Jascha Heifetz to found the American Guild of Musical Artists and was its president for 17 years.

In his later years, he hosted a radio show in which he featured recordings of famed opera singers. He died on July 15, 1960, after hitting his head during a fall in his own home.

Signature Roles

He was a renowned Verdi baritone and many believe he was one of the best of his kind to grace the Met stage. He was the leading man in the Met Opera’s first ever performance of “Simon Boccanegra,” performing the title role 20 times throughout his Met career.

He also performed the title role of “Rigoletto” over 30 times and appeared as Germont in “La Traviata” close to 50 times throughout his career.

He was also a part of four World Premieres at the Met during his time including such operas as “Peter Ibbetson,” “The King’s Henchman,” “The Emperor Jones,” and “In the Pasha’s Garden.”