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'''Murray Dickie''' [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]] (b. [[Bishopton, Renfrewshire|Bishopton]], nr. Glasgow, 3 April 1924; d. [[Cape Town]], South Africa, 19 June 1995) was a [[Scottish people|Scottish]] [[tenor]] [[opera singer]] and director, who established his career in England, Austria and Italy during the 1950s.<ref>G. Davidson, ''Opera Biographies'' (Werner Laurie, London 1955, 85-88.</ref> In addition to his extensive stage work he was a prolific recording artist.
'''Murray Dickie''' [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]] (3 April 1924 19 June 1995)<ref name="Grove">{{Cite Grove |author=[[Peter Branscombe]]|title=Dickie, Murray|doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.O006544|date=2002}}</ref> was a Scottish [[tenor]] [[opera singer]] and director, who established his career in England, Austria and Italy during the 1950s.<ref>Gladys Davidson, ''Opera Biographies'' (Werner Laurie, London 1955, pp. 85–88.</ref> In addition to his extensive stage work he was a prolific recording artist.


== Early career 1947-1955 ==
== Early career 1947–1955 ==
Dickie had his first vocal training in [[Glasgow]]. He studied in [[Vienna]] with S. Polmann,<ref>According to Davidson 1955, Pollmann taught him in Glasgow.</ref> and afterwards he studied in London with [[Dino Borgioli]], and in Milan with [[Guido Farinelli]].<ref>H. Rosenthal and J. Warrack, ''Concise Oxford Dictionary of Opera'' (OUP, London 1974 printing).</ref> He at first worked for the [[BBC]] as "effects boy" and went on to become a production assistant.<ref>Davidson 1955, 85.</ref>
Born in [[Bishopton, Renfrewshire|Bishopton]], Scotland, Dickie had his first vocal training in Glasgow. He studied in Vienna with S. Polmann,<ref>According to Davidson 1955, Pollmann taught him in Glasgow.</ref> and afterwards he studied in London with [[Dino Borgioli]], and in Milan with Guido Farinelli.<ref>[[Harold Rosenthal|H. Rosenthal]] and [[John Warrack|J. Warrack]], ''Concise Oxford Dictionary of Opera'' (Oxford University Press, London 1974).</ref> He at first worked for the [[BBC]] as effects boy and went on to become a production assistant.<ref>Davidson 1955, 85.</ref>


His debut was at the [[Cambridge Theatre]] in London in January 1947 as part of the New London Opera Company, as Almaviva in ''[[Il barbiere di Siviglia]]'', a role he afterwards repeated for them on several occasions. He joined the new resident company at [[Royal Opera House|Covent Garden]] when it was first formed after the War, from 1948 to 1952. His debut there was as [[Die Zauberflöte|Tamino]]. An early triumph was as David in ''[[Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg]]'', a role with which he became identified. In 1952 he was invited to undertake this role at [[La Scala]] by [[Wilhelm Furtwängler]], and won approval. He also sang the role in Berlin, [[Munich]], Vienna and elsewhere. He made debuts in 1950 in [[Barcelona]] and in 1951 in Rome, and at the [[Vienna State Opera]], where he was immediately engaged as a permanent member of the company.<ref name="Davidson 1955">Davidson 1955.</ref> In 1949 he created the role of Curé in the [[Arthur Bliss]] opera ''[[The Olympians]]'' at Covent Garden.<ref>Rosenthal and Warrack 1974.</ref>
His debut was at the [[Cambridge Theatre]] in London in January 1947 as part of the New London Opera Company, as Almaviva in ''[[Il barbiere di Siviglia]]'', a role he afterwards repeated for them on several occasions. He joined the new resident company at [[Royal Opera House|Covent Garden]] when it was first formed after the War, from 1948 to 1952. His debut there was as [[The Magic Flute|Tamino]]. An early triumph was as David in ''[[Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg]]'', a role with which he became identified. In 1952 he was invited to undertake this role at [[La Scala]] by [[Wilhelm Furtwängler]], and won approval. He also sang the role in Berlin, Munich, Vienna and elsewhere. He made debuts in 1950 in Barcelona and in 1951 in Rome, and at the [[Vienna State Opera]], where he was immediately engaged as a permanent member of the company.<ref name="Davidson 1955">Davidson 1955.</ref> In 1949 he created the role of Curé in the [[Arthur Bliss]] opera ''[[The Olympians]]'' at Covent Garden.<ref>Rosenthal and Warrack 1974.</ref>


In the [[Glyndebourne Festival]] of 1950, Murray Dickie appeared as [[Le nozze di Figaro|Don Basilio]], [[Il Seraglio|Pedrillo]] and as Brighella in ''[[Ariadne auf Naxos]]'', and went to the [[Edinburgh Festival]] with the company later in the same year. Thereafter he sang regularly with the Glyndebourne company and at Edinburgh. In October 1951 he appeared as Florestein in Sir [[Thomas Beecham]]'s revival of ''[[The Bohemian Girl]]'': he sang David at Covent Garden under Beecham (parts of which were recorded live) and that year also appeared in ''[[Der Rosenkavalier]]'' and again as Don Basilio. As his career in Vienna got under way in 1952 he repeated the roles of David and Pedrillo, and also performed [[Fidelio|Jacquino]], with great success. He took part in the 1952 Paris Festival of Twentieth Century Music, and sang as a guest at Munich (1952 and 1953) with the [[Bayerische Staatsoper]].<ref name="Davidson 1955" />
In the [[Glyndebourne Festival]] of 1950, Dickie appeared as [[The Marriage of Figaro|Don Basilio]], [[Die Entführung aus dem Serail|Pedrillo]] and as Brighella in ''[[Ariadne auf Naxos]]'', and went to the [[Edinburgh Festival]] with the company later in the same year. Thereafter he sang regularly with the Glyndebourne company and at Edinburgh. In October 1951 he appeared as Florestein in Sir [[Thomas Beecham]]'s revival of ''[[The Bohemian Girl]]'': he sang David at Covent Garden under Beecham (parts of which were recorded live) and that year also appeared in ''[[Der Rosenkavalier]]'' and again as Don Basilio. As his career in Vienna got under way in 1952 he repeated the roles of David and Pedrillo, and also performed [[Fidelio|Jacquino]], with great success. He took part in the 1952 Paris Festival of Twentieth Century Music, and sang as a guest at Munich (1952 and 1953) with the [[Bavarian State Opera]].<ref name="Davidson 1955" />


He performed David again for the Covent Garden [[Coronation of the British Monarch|Coronation]] Season of 1953, and sang at Glyndebourne in their Coronation Festival. He then took part in the British premiere of [[Stravinsky]]'s ''[[The Rake's Progress]]'', at Edinburgh. Also in that year he sang at Berlin, and took part in the French premiere of ''[[Die Liebe der Danae]]'' at the [[Palais Garnier|Paris Opéra]]. In 1954 he appeared at Glyndebourne as Leandro in [[Ferruccio Busoni]]'s ''[[Arlecchino (opera)|Arlecchino]]''. He had by this time also become an experienced broadcaster.<ref name="Davidson 1955" />
He performed David again for the Covent Garden [[Coronation of Elizabeth II|coronation]] season of 1953, and sang at Glyndebourne in their Coronation Festival. He then took part in the British premiere of [[Igor Stravinsky|Stravinsky]]'s ''[[The Rake's Progress]]'', at Edinburgh. Also in that year he sang at Berlin, and took part in the French premiere of ''[[Die Liebe der Danae]]'' at the [[Palais Garnier|Paris Opéra]]. In 1954 he appeared at Glyndebourne as Leandro in [[Ferruccio Busoni]]'s ''[[Arlecchino (opera)|Arlecchino]]''. He had by this time also become an experienced broadcaster.<ref name="Davidson 1955" />


== Continuing career ==
== Continuing career ==
In 1976, he translated and directed ''[[Eine Nacht in Venedig|A Night in Venice]]'' for [[English National Opera]] at the [[London Coliseum]].<ref>Forbes, Elizabeth. [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituaries-murray-dickie-1588898.html "Obituaries: Murray Dickie"]. ''The Independent'', 29 June 1995. Retrieved 10 May 2011</ref>
In 1976, he translated and directed ''[[Eine Nacht in Venedig|A Night in Venice]]'' for [[English National Opera]] at the [[London Coliseum]].<ref>[[Elizabeth Forbes (musicologist)|Forbes, Elizabeth]]. [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituaries-murray-dickie-1588898.html "Obituaries: Murray Dickie"]. ''[[The Independent]]'', 29 June 1995. Retrieved 10 May 2011</ref>


In 1975, Dickie was awarded the [[Austrian Decoration for Science and Art|Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, 1st class]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXIV/AB/AB_10542/imfname_251156.pdf | title = Reply to a parliamentary question | language = German | page=427 |trans-title=| format = pdf | accessdate = 19 October 2012 }}</ref>. He was appointed OBE in the [[1976 New Year Honours]].
In 1975, Dickie was awarded the [[Austrian Decoration for Science and Art|Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, 1st class]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXIV/AB/AB_10542/imfname_251156.pdf | title = Reply to a parliamentary question | language = German | page=427| access-date = 19 October 2012 }}</ref> He was appointed OBE in the [[1976 New Year Honours]].

Dickie died in 1995 in [[Cape Town]], South Africa, aged 71.


== Family details ==
== Family details ==
Murray Dickie was the younger brother of William Dickie, a singer who studied with Pollman, [[Titta Ruffo]], [[Giuseppe de Luca]] and [[Gino Bechi]]. William sang in Glasgow during the 1930s and in London and Italy after 1946. Murray Dickie was married to the singer [[Maureen Springer]], also a member of the Vienna company and who often joined her husband in concert. Together they had four sons. Their eldest son John Dickie too was a member of the Vienna company.<ref name="Davidson 1955" />
Murray Dickie was the younger brother of William Dickie, a singer who studied with Pollman, [[Titta Ruffo]], [[Giuseppe De Luca]] and [[Gino Bechi]]. William sang in Glasgow during the 1930s and in London and Italy after 1946. Murray Dickie was married to the singer Maureen Springer, also a member of the Vienna company and who often joined her husband in concert. Together they had four sons. Their eldest son John Dickie too was a member of the Vienna company.<ref name="Davidson 1955" />


== Selected recordings ==
== Selected recordings ==
There are many recordings featuring Murray Dickie in his characteristic roles in opera, and in works of the concert hall. A selection follows:
There are many recordings featuring Dickie in his characteristic roles in opera, and in works of the concert hall. A selection follows:


* Beethoven: Ninth Symphony, with [[Gottlob Frick]], [[Elizabeth Höngen]] and [[Wilma Lipp]], cond. [[Carl Schuricht]], [[Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire]] de Paris. (EMI Angel CD)
* Beethoven: [[Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven)|Ninth Symphony]], with [[Gottlob Frick]], [[Elisabeth Höngen]] and [[Wilma Lipp]], conducted by [[Carl Schuricht]], [[Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire]] de Paris. (EMI Angel CD)
* Beethoven: ''[[Fidelio]]'', cond [[Eugen Jochum]], Rai Symphony Orchestra of Rome (Melodram CD)
* Beethoven: ''[[Fidelio]]'', conducted by [[Eugen Jochum]], Rai Symphony Orchestra of Rome (Melodram CD)
* Berg: ''[[Wozzeck]]'' (in the role of Andrès), cond [[Karl Böhm]] (1955). (Andante CD)
* Berg: ''[[Wozzeck]]'' (in the role of Andrès), conducted by [[Karl Böhm]] (1955). (Andante CD)
* Bizet: ''[[Carmen]]'', cond. [[Lorin Maazel]], [[Vienna State Opera]] (live recording). (Orfeo D'Or CD)
* Bizet: ''[[Carmen]]'', conducted by [[Lorin Maazel]], [[Vienna State Opera]] (live recording). (Orfeo D'Or CD)
* Mahler: ''[[Das Lied von der Erde]]'', with [[Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau]], cond [[Paul Kletzki]], [[Philharmonia Orchestra]]. (EMI Classics CD)
* Mahler: ''[[Das Lied von der Erde]]'', with [[Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau]], conducted by [[Paul Kletzki]], [[Philharmonia Orchestra]]. (EMI Classics CD)
* Richard Strauss: ''[[Die Frau ohne Schatten]]'' (as Barak's brother), cond Karl Böhm, [[Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra]]. (Opera D'Oro CD)
* Richard Strauss: ''[[Die Frau ohne Schatten]]'' (as Barak's brother), conducted by Karl Böhm, [[Vienna Philharmonic]]. (Opera D'Oro CD)
* Richard Strauss: ''[[Der Rosenkavalier]]'' cond. [[Georg Solti]], Vienna Philharmonic (1968). (London/Decca CD)
* Richard Strauss: ''[[Der Rosenkavalier]]'' conducted by [[Georg Solti]], Vienna Philharmonic (1968). (London/Decca CD)
* Richard Strauss: ''[[Salome (opera)|Salome]]'', cond Karl Böhm, Vienna State Opera (1972). (Opera D'Oro CD)
* Richard Strauss: ''[[Salome (opera)|Salome]]'', conducted by Karl Böhm, Vienna State Opera (1972). (Opera D'Oro CD)
* Mozart: ''Requiem in D minor'' with Elizabeth Höngen, Wilma Lipp, [[Ludwig Weber]], cond [[Jascha Horenstein]], [[Wiener Musikverein]] (1956). (Vox Classic CD)
* Mozart: [[Requiem (Mozart)|Requiem in D minor]] with Elisabeth Höngen, Wilma Lipp, [[Ludwig Weber]], conducted by [[Jascha Horenstein]], [[Wiener Musikverein]] (1956). (Vox Classic CD)
* Mozart: ''Great Mass'', with [[Walter Berry (bass-baritone)|Walter Berry]], Wilma Lipp, [[Christa Ludwig]], cond [[Ferdinand Grossmann]]. (Preiser CD)
* Mozart: ''[[Great Mass in C minor, K. 427|Great Mass]]'', with [[Walter Berry (bass-baritone)|Walter Berry]], Wilma Lipp, [[Christa Ludwig]], conducted by [[Ferdinand Grossmann]]. (Preiser CD)
* Mozart: ''[[Die Entführung aus dem Serail]]'' (as Pedrillo), cond [[George Szell]], Vienna Philharmonic (live at [[Salzburg Festival]] 1956). (Melodram CD)
* Mozart: ''[[Die Entführung aus dem Serail]]'' (as Pedrillo), conducted by [[George Szell]], Vienna Philharmonic (live at [[Salzburg Festival]] 1956). (Melodram CD)
* Mozart: ''[[Le nozze di Figaro]]'', (as Basilio), cond [[Erich Kleiber]], Vienna Philharmonic (1956). (London/Decca CD)
* Mozart: ''[[Le nozze di Figaro]]'', (as Basilio), conducted by [[Erich Kleiber]], Vienna Philharmonic (1956). (London/Decca CD)
* Offenbach: ''[[The Tales of Hoffmann|The tales of Hoffmann]]'', cond [[Thomas Beecham]], Sadler's Wells. (Pearl CD)
* Offenbach: ''[[The Tales of Hoffmann|The tales of Hoffmann]]'', conducted by [[Thomas Beecham]], Sadler's Wells. (Pearl CD)
* Poulenc: ''[[Dialogues des Carmélites]]'', cond [[Berislav Klobučar]], Vienna State Opera (1961). (Ponto CD)
* Poulenc: ''[[Dialogues des Carmélites]]'', conducted by [[Berislav Klobučar]], Vienna State Opera (1961). (Ponto CD)
* Monteverdi: ''[[Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria]]'' (as Iro), cond [[Nikolaus Harnoncourt]], [[Vienna Concentus Musikus]] (1971). (Teldec Das Alte Werk)
* Monteverdi: ''[[Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria]]'' (as Iro), conducted by [[Nikolaus Harnoncourt]], [[Concentus Musicus Wien]] (1971). (Teldec Das Alte Werk)
* Wagner: ''[[Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg]]'' (as David), cond [[Fritz Reiner]], Vienna State Opera (1955). (Orfeo D'Or)
* Wagner: ''[[Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg]]'' (as David), conducted by [[Fritz Reiner]], Vienna State Opera (1955). (Orfeo D'Or)
* Wagner: ''[[Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg]]'', Acts I and II, (as David), cond Thomas Beecham, Covent Garden 1951. (Gebhardt CD)
* Wagner: ''[[Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg]]'', acts 1 and 2, (as David), cond Thomas Beecham, Covent Garden 1951. (Gebhardt CD)
* Wagner: ''[[Tannhäuser (opera)|Tannhäuser]]'', cond [[Artur Rodziński]], Rome (1957). (IDI CD)
* Wagner: ''[[Tannhäuser (opera)|Tannhäuser]]'', cond [[Artur Rodziński]], Rome (1957). (IDI CD)
* FOLK AND TRADITIONAL SONGS - from England, The Hebrides, Ireland and Scotland [[w John Pritchard piano]] (Philips mono 10" LP)
* ''Folk and Traditional Songs from England, the Hebrides, Ireland and Scotland'', with [[John Pritchard (conductor)|John Pritchard]], piano (Philips mono 10" LP)


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Dickie, Murray}}
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:1924 births]]
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[[Category:1995 deaths]]
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[[Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire]]
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[[Category:20th-century British singers]]
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[[Category:20th-century Scottish musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century opera singers]]

Latest revision as of 00:04, 15 December 2023

Murray Dickie OBE (3 April 1924 – 19 June 1995)[1] was a Scottish tenor opera singer and director, who established his career in England, Austria and Italy during the 1950s.[2] In addition to his extensive stage work he was a prolific recording artist.

Early career 1947–1955[edit]

Born in Bishopton, Scotland, Dickie had his first vocal training in Glasgow. He studied in Vienna with S. Polmann,[3] and afterwards he studied in London with Dino Borgioli, and in Milan with Guido Farinelli.[4] He at first worked for the BBC as effects boy and went on to become a production assistant.[5]

His debut was at the Cambridge Theatre in London in January 1947 as part of the New London Opera Company, as Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia, a role he afterwards repeated for them on several occasions. He joined the new resident company at Covent Garden when it was first formed after the War, from 1948 to 1952. His debut there was as Tamino. An early triumph was as David in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, a role with which he became identified. In 1952 he was invited to undertake this role at La Scala by Wilhelm Furtwängler, and won approval. He also sang the role in Berlin, Munich, Vienna and elsewhere. He made debuts in 1950 in Barcelona and in 1951 in Rome, and at the Vienna State Opera, where he was immediately engaged as a permanent member of the company.[6] In 1949 he created the role of Curé in the Arthur Bliss opera The Olympians at Covent Garden.[7]

In the Glyndebourne Festival of 1950, Dickie appeared as Don Basilio, Pedrillo and as Brighella in Ariadne auf Naxos, and went to the Edinburgh Festival with the company later in the same year. Thereafter he sang regularly with the Glyndebourne company and at Edinburgh. In October 1951 he appeared as Florestein in Sir Thomas Beecham's revival of The Bohemian Girl: he sang David at Covent Garden under Beecham (parts of which were recorded live) and that year also appeared in Der Rosenkavalier and again as Don Basilio. As his career in Vienna got under way in 1952 he repeated the roles of David and Pedrillo, and also performed Jacquino, with great success. He took part in the 1952 Paris Festival of Twentieth Century Music, and sang as a guest at Munich (1952 and 1953) with the Bavarian State Opera.[6]

He performed David again for the Covent Garden coronation season of 1953, and sang at Glyndebourne in their Coronation Festival. He then took part in the British premiere of Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress, at Edinburgh. Also in that year he sang at Berlin, and took part in the French premiere of Die Liebe der Danae at the Paris Opéra. In 1954 he appeared at Glyndebourne as Leandro in Ferruccio Busoni's Arlecchino. He had by this time also become an experienced broadcaster.[6]

Continuing career[edit]

In 1976, he translated and directed A Night in Venice for English National Opera at the London Coliseum.[8]

In 1975, Dickie was awarded the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, 1st class.[9] He was appointed OBE in the 1976 New Year Honours.

Dickie died in 1995 in Cape Town, South Africa, aged 71.

Family details[edit]

Murray Dickie was the younger brother of William Dickie, a singer who studied with Pollman, Titta Ruffo, Giuseppe De Luca and Gino Bechi. William sang in Glasgow during the 1930s and in London and Italy after 1946. Murray Dickie was married to the singer Maureen Springer, also a member of the Vienna company and who often joined her husband in concert. Together they had four sons. Their eldest son John Dickie too was a member of the Vienna company.[6]

Selected recordings[edit]

There are many recordings featuring Dickie in his characteristic roles in opera, and in works of the concert hall. A selection follows:

References[edit]

  1. ^ Peter Branscombe (2002). "Dickie, Murray". Grove Music Online (8th ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.O006544. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0.
  2. ^ Gladys Davidson, Opera Biographies (Werner Laurie, London 1955, pp. 85–88.
  3. ^ According to Davidson 1955, Pollmann taught him in Glasgow.
  4. ^ H. Rosenthal and J. Warrack, Concise Oxford Dictionary of Opera (Oxford University Press, London 1974).
  5. ^ Davidson 1955, 85.
  6. ^ a b c d Davidson 1955.
  7. ^ Rosenthal and Warrack 1974.
  8. ^ Forbes, Elizabeth. "Obituaries: Murray Dickie". The Independent, 29 June 1995. Retrieved 10 May 2011
  9. ^ "Reply to a parliamentary question" (PDF) (in German). p. 427. Retrieved 19 October 2012.