Press Announcement                          For additional information:
                                        Thomas Arthur at 202.364.7141 (press)
                                         Aurelius Fernandez at 301.907.2600 

WASHINGTON, DC, December 17, 1999.  The Wagner Society of Washington, DC
will begin the new year with a review by noted columnist and author
Jeannie Williams of her newly published biography of one of the 20th
century's greatest tenors.


                          JON VICKERS: A HERO'S LIFE
                             by Jeannie Williams

January 13, 2000 at 7:45 PM

Canadian tenor Jon Vickers, now retired, was undoubtedly one of the
greatest Wagnerian singers of our times.  Vickers, born in 1926, was known
for the serious emotional intensity and distinctiveness of his
interpretations.  He was also known for almost violent rages and
intolerance about differing interpretive views of directors and even
composers.  These characteristics alienated some people while Vickers
astounded audiences with the brilliance of his singing.

Jeannie has written a very even-handed but unauthorized biography.  She
notes the musical and religious influences that contributed to Vickers's
greatness and his exhalted view of his own role.  She provides a revealing
portrait of a very private, religious man and complex artist who baffled
and sometimes enraged his friends and colleagues.  Wagnerian soprano
Birgit Nilsson contributed a foreword to the book.

The author notes, "He's a very private man and has not 'cooperated' with
the book, although I have worked on other projects with him.  But I
believe he richly deserves a book, as he passes into legend, having
retired as a singer in 1988 (he is now doing narrative works on stage).  
Stories of him abound in the business, but few have seen print; I found
his colleagues eager to speak about him, but still baffled by many parts
of his complex persona.

Vickers sang the most demanding of roles - Tristan, Peter Grimes, Otello,
Enee.  In fact, no other tenor in recent memory mastered all four of those
roles at the same time in his career. . . .  I trace Vickers's life from
boyhood in western Canada to studies in Toronto, his breakthrough in The
Trojans at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, and his work on all the
major stages.  The book covers his over-the-edge performances and stormy
battles with conductors and directors; a lengthy feud with the BBC-TV; his
falling-out with Sir Georg Solti; his views - and Benjamin Britten's, of
his Peter Grimes; his much whispered-about cancellation of Tannhäuser; the
behind-the-scenes traumas of the 1985-86 Handel Samson; his troubled
relationship with his Canadian homeland . . . ."

Jeannie Williams is a staff columnist for USA Today and has written about
opera for Opera News, Opera Monthly, Opera Quarterly, BBC Music Magazine,
the Magazine of Lyric Opera of Chicago, and New York Magazine.  She lives
in New York.  Birgit Nilsson, the most famous Isolde to Vickers's Tristan,
now lives in Sweden.

Jeannie Williams will review the book and play recorded excerpts from some
of Jon Vickers's greatest Wagnerian roles. The public and members are
invited to bring copies of A Hero's Life for the author's autograph.  
(Books will not be sold at the lecture.)

Jon Vickers:  A Hero's Life was published in November by Northeastern
University Press at $29.95.

The Wagner Society of Washington D. C. is a private non-profit corporation
created for the study and enjoyment of Wagner's art.  Its 1999-2000 season
will continue with monthly programs and films through June.  Membership
forms are available at www.wagner-dc.org.  Programs are at The George
Washington University, Funger Hall, Room 103, 2201 G Street, NW.
 Parking is available on the street or in university garages. 


The Wagner Society of Washington, DC, PO Box 33051, Washington, DC 20033
Tel 301.907.2600 Fax 301.907.8671 
http://www.wagner-dc.org