Don Garrard
Don Garrard was a Canadian operatic bass, born on July 31, 1929, in Vancouver. He exhibited a passion for music from a young age, beginning his journey in church choirs and musical comedies before transitioning to opera. His formal training began in earnest in the early 1950s, notably with a summer workshop in Santa Barbara, California, where he learned from esteemed opera figures. Garrard's career took off after winning The Singing Stars of Tomorrow competition in 1953, leading to a series of performances with the Canadian Opera Company in notable productions such as "The Magic Flute" and "Don Giovanni."
In 1961, he moved to London, serving as the principal bass for Sadler's Wells Theatre, where he performed extensively and recorded over five hundred roles. He made his Royal Opera House debut in 1970 and participated in the premieres of significant operas by Carlisle Floyd and Benjamin Britten. Throughout his career, Garrard showcased his talent in various international productions and also ventured into film and television. After relocating to South Africa in 1989, he continued his artistic contributions through performances and education. Don Garrard's legacy was recognized with honors, including the Queen's Jubilee Medal, until his passing in Johannesburg on September 21, 2011.
Subject Terms
Don Garrard
Opera singer
- Born: July 31, 1929
- Birthplace: Vancouver, British Columbia
- Died: September 21, 2011
- Place of death: Johannesburg, South Africa
Contribution: Don Garrard was a renowned Canadian opera singer who appeared in a wide variety of musical productions throughout his career. One of Canada’s—and perhaps the world’s—foremost bass singers, Garrard earned a reputation for his skillful performances in the full spectrum of bass operatic roles. He was consistently the subject of critical praise and public acclaim.
Early Life and Career Origins
Donald Garrard was born July 31, 1929, in Vancouver. He developed an interest in and talent for music at an early age, singing in the choir of a city church before transitioning into the local musical comedy circuit. By the time he reached his early twenties, Garrard had begun to shift his focus to opera and commenced formal training. The pivotal moment in his operatic education came in 1951 when he attended a summer workshop in Santa Barbara, California, where he received instruction from renowned opera singers John Charles Thomas and Lotte Lehmann. His debut performance with the Canadian Opera Company came less than a year later, when he appeared in The Magic Flute as the Speaker. He continued his education at the Royal Conservatory Opera School in Toronto and, later, in Italy with vocalists Luigi Borgonovo and George Cunelli.
Professional Career
Garrard’s first major accomplishment on the Canadian opera scene came in 1953, when he won The Singing Stars of Tomorrow competition. Following this success, Garrard continued to perform with the Canadian Opera Company, appearing in a wide range of productions including Don Giovanni, Carousel, The Love of Three Oranges, Aida, Faust, The Flying Dutchman, Macbeth, Don Carlos, and others. He would continue to perform with the Canadian Opera Company throughout his career.
In 1961, Garrard traveled to London, England, where he became the principal bass for Sadler’s Wells Theatre. During his tenure with Sadler’s Wells, Garrard recorded more than five hundred performances in a variety of roles. Nine years later, he debuted at London’s Royal Opera House, playing Ferrando in Il trovatore. Notably, he also appeared in the world premiers of two operas: Carlisle Floyd’s Willie Stark and Benjamin Britten’sCurlew River.
During the course of his long career, Garrard performed with countless opera companies around the world, appearing in a variety of productions including The Thieving Magpie, Anna Bolena, Boris Godunov, Die Walküre, and many others. In 1964, he performed the role of Trulove in the first-ever recording of Igor Stravinsky’sThe Rake’s Progress. He made a number of film appearances, including Flaming Frontier (1958) and Wolf Dog (1958), and he also appeared in the television series Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans (1957). Between 1954 and 1955, he cohosted The Leslie Bell Singers show.
Garrard left Canada in 1989 and resettled in South Africa, where he appeared in a number of stage productions and concerts. He also began a career in education, teaching master classes based on his operatic experience. Garrard’s distinguished career earned him a number of honors, including the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. He died in Johannesburg on September 21, 2011.
Principal Works
Stravinsky, The Rake’s Progress, 1964
Donizetti, Anna Bolena, 1965
Bruckner, Te Deum in C; Bach, Magnificat, 1970
Roberto Devereux, 1970
Mozart, Don Giovanni, 1975
Verdi, La Forza del Destino, 1975
Bibliography
“Don Garrard.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Foundation, 2012. Web. 7 Aug. 2013.
“Don Garrard (Bass).” Bach Cantatas Website. Bach Cantatas Website, 2006. Web. 7 Aug. 2013.
“Don Garrard.” IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 7 Aug. 2013.
Forbes, Elizabeth. “Don Garrard: Bass Who Made His Name with the Sadler’s Wells Company.” Independent [London]. Independent.co.uk, 28 Oct. 2011. Web. 7 Aug. 2013.
Garrard, Don. “A Chat with Bruce Duffie.” Interview. Wagner News Mar 1986: n. pag. Web. 7 Aug. 2013.
Henahan, Donal. “Opera: Floyd’s Willie.” New York Times. New York Times, 27 Apr. 1981. Web. 7 Aug. 2013.