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Giovanni: The Life and Times of John Brownlee

Synopsis

From the moment the great Nellie Melba took him as her protege, John Brownlee's life was brilliant and exciting as he moved among the aristocracy and the musical greats of the time. The late Metropolitan baritone's early years with the Paris Opera, highlighted by his marriage to one of the Italian nobility, led to the now historic first seasons at Glyndebourne and the world's leading opera houses.

The multi-faceted story makes this not just a biography, but also a look at the times and many famous personalities in the decades from the twenties through the sixties. The singer was a virtual link between the golden age of opera and the period following. He rose from simple and humble beginnings in Australia to the front ranks of opera and, later, music education.

Author Biography

Lloyd Bell

The author received his Master of Music degree in voice from the Manhattan School of Music after having studied singing in London and Paris. In addition to being a singer, he served in various churches in Richmond, Virginia as minister of music. He was also music critic for the Richmond Times-Dispatch for a number of years. It was after voice studies with John Brownlee that he began researching for this book. He had the man's personal diaries, letters and other papers from which to work. The wonderfully engaging personality of the late Mrs. Brownlee was a constant inspiration. Mr. Bell's latest work is his novel, Woodhaven.