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Biography Early Career
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Early Career
At 23 "The Minstrel Boy", has he was known to his friends, moved to London to sing and study music. Next, on the advice of Caruso himself, it was off to Milan to learn his trade in the home of the masters. The First World War was to bring an end to his Italian adventures, as Burke returned home to entertain the troops for the duration.
His Big Chance
In 1919 Burke was given his big chance, when the famed Nellie Melba insisted he be given the role of lead tenor in La Boheme at the grand reopening of the Royal Opera house, Covent Garden.
He was completely unknown in Britain but she had heard him sing in Italy and his performance on the opening night was described as the greatest debut in the history of Covent Garden. The recording studios were queuing up for Burke’s signature on a contract and in 1920 Puccini signed him for the lead roles in all three of his operas being performed in London that season. But his days at the top were to be short lived. In August 1920 Burke was lured to New York by an offer of £400 per night for concert appearances, at the time this was the highest fee ever paid to a British artist in the United States. |
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