Morgan State University Newsroom Morgan State University
The Canadian Opera Company lost its star tenor, Clifton Forbis, yesterday due to illness. He was scheduled to sing the demanding role of Siegmund in the 4:30 performance of Richard Wagner’s Die Walküre.
Fortunately the COC had engaged the young American tenor, Issachah Savage, as the ‘cover’ for the COC’s run of seven performances. Yesterday Savage sang the third performance and, in so doing, has secured his reputation as a major contender for star status among dramatic tenors worldwide.
Savage, a warm, effusive and personable individual, created quite a stir in opera circles last year when he won not only the main prize of the 2014 Seattle International Wagner Competition, but also the audience favourite prize, the orchestra favourite prize, and a special honour by Speight Jenkins.
