Charles Craig - O del mio amato ben (EMI, 1961)

Charles Craig (1919-1997) was a dramatic tenor who spent most of his career in Europe. Born in London, Craig was the youngest of 15 children and lost his mother when he was only three years old. Although the youngster showed an early interest in music (his brother owned a few Caruso 78s), his father didn’t possess the resources to properly educate the boy. After the elder Craig’s death in 1932, Charles became a tailor’s apprentice. He worked various jobs before joining the army in WWII. While stationed in India, Craig was heard singing in the barracks and was placed in the entertainment corps. With no musical training, Craig sang concerts throughout southern Asia, performing arias he had learned from records!

After the war, Craig returned to London, determined to carve out a singing career. He auditioned for the Royal Opera, Covent Garden, and was offered a spot in the chorus. Craig accepted, understanding that solo roles would come his way. Apart from a couple tiny parts, nothing ever materialized, and Craig grew frustrated. It was steady work, however, and the tenor remained in the chorus, hoping for something better. Craig’s luck took a turn for the better when he auditioned for The Bohemian Girl at Covent Garden in 1951. Sir Thomas Beecham heard Craig’s tryout and was impressed by the 31 year old singer, considering him something of a diamond in the rough. Beecham arranged to send Craig to Italy for voice lessons and coaching. The famed conductor paid not only for these studies, but also provided a salary for Craig, so that he would not have to continue his choral duties. He spent two years working with tenor Dino Borgioli, who refined Craig’s already serviceable technique.

Craig returned to London in 1952 and was engaged by Beecham as tenor soloist in Handel's Ode for St. Cecilia's Day and Liszt's Psalm 13 that December at Royal Festival Hall. Unfortunately, the tenor was ill with pneumonia, and left little impression on critics or the public. Beecham had already cast Craig for the recording of Delius’ Eine Messe des Lebens. When the recording was released by Columbia in 1953, it marked a turning point in the tenor’s career. It was with the Carl Rosa Opera that Craig made his official debut as Rodolfo in La Bohème in the fall of 1953. Craig spent the next four years touring with the company, essaying the tenor leads in Manon Lescaut, Don Giovanni, Faust and even the UK premiere of Berlioz’s Benvenuto Cellini. In 1957, he joined the ranks of Sadler’s Wells as the Duke in Rigoletto and sang a variety of roles over the next two years. Craig returned to Covent Garden, making his debut in a principal role on January 19, 1959. His portrayal of Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly won rave reviews, firmly establishing him as an artist of the first rank.

Craig’s U.S. debut occurred at Lyric Opera of Chicago on October 14, 1966, when he spelled an ailing Jon Vickers as Otello. Thomas Willis of the Chicago Tribune wrote, “Mr. Craig is a real find…[He] has everything vocally necessary and a strong sense of presence as well.” For some reason, Craig never established a foothold in the U.S., singing only a few performances. After replacing Richard Tucker in Hollywood Bowl’s production of Aïda in July 1972, Craig never seems to have sung in America again.

Craig made headlines in April 1976 after a mishap at Covent Garden. He was badly injured when Peter Glossop too vigorously tossed Nancy Shade on top of him during a rehearsal of Il Tabarro, and missed the first few performances. By now, Craig was singing mainly in the British Isles. He was a frequent visitor to Opera Scotland, English National Opera, and, of course, Covent Garden. Craig’s final operatic appearance was as Cavaradossi in a January 1985 production of Tosca by English National Opera. Following a gala concert given by ENO on December 21, 1986, the 67 year old tenor retired from singing. Craig spent his final decade coaching young singers and judging vocal competitions. Craig passed away from a heart attack on January 23, 1997 at the age of 77.

Charles Craig was arguably the finest English tenor of his generation. Although never the most subtle interpreter, his robust tenor remained marvelously intact after three decades of singing the most punishing roles. Craig’s repertoire of nearly 50 roles included the leads in Samson et Dalila, Oberon, Fidelio, Die Walküre, Lohengrin, Götterdämmerung, Ariadne auf Naxos, Cavalleria Rusticana, Pagliacci, Andrea Chénier, Il Trovatore, La Forza del Destino, Un Ballo in Maschera, Don Carlo, Norma, I Puritani, Rusalka, and Elektra. Craig’s career took him to the major stages of Vienna, Salzburg, Zurich, Berlin, Stockholm, Turin, Palermo, Rome, Venice, Budapest, Barcelona and Buenos Aires. The tenor’s recorded legacy consists of a few studio albums for EMI and numerous live recordings. Here, Craig sings Donaudy’s “O del mio amato ben”. This was recorded in London for EMI in 1961. Michael Collins conducts.