David Atkinson (baritone)

'''David Anthony Stuart Atkinson''' (born '''David Burke'''; October 20, 1921 – October 4, 2012) was a Canadian baritone and New York Broadway actor/singer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dailyfreeman/obituary.aspx?pid=160313406#fbLoggedOut |title=David Anthony Stuart Atkinson Obituary: View David Atkinson's Obituary by Daily Freeman |publisher=Legacy.com |date= |accessdate=2012-10-24}}</ref> Most of his career was spent performing in musicals and operettas in New York City from the late 1940s through the early 1970s, although he did appear in some operas and made a few television appearances. In 1952 he created the role of Sam in the world premiere of Leonard Bernstein's ''Trouble in Tahiti''. From 1956-1962 he was a leading performer at the New York City Opera where he starred in several musicals and appeared in the world premieres of several English language operas. His greatest success on the stage came late in his career: the role of Cervantes in ''Man of La Mancha'' which he portrayed in the original Broadway production (replacing Richard Kiley), the 1968 national tour, and in the 1972 Broadway revival.

==Life and career== Born David Burke in Montreal, Atkinson grew up in Saint-Romuald, Quebec. While his parents were native English speakers, his community was French speaking and he learned to speak both languages as a child. After studies at Bishop's College School, he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II in the South Pacific just prior to Japan's surrender. After the war he studied music at McGill University in 1946. He left McGill in 1947 after winning a scholarship to attend the Juilliard School in New York. He remained at Juilliard for only one year, leaving the school to begin his career as a musical theatre performer in the Fall of 1948.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CPkxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=u-MFAAAAIBAJ&pg=7053,116107&dq=david-atkinson+montreal&hl=en|title=Canadian Singer .Find Throat Strain Terrific|work=Ottawa Citizen|date=December 1, 1955}}</ref> He continued to study singing privately with Harry Jompulsky in New York City.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/04/12/archives/harry-jompulsky-is-dead-teacher-of-voice-was-75.html?sq=%2522David+Atkinson%2522&scp=114&st=p|title=Harry Jompulsky Is Dead; Teacher of Voice Was 75|work=The New York Times|date=April 12, 1966}}</ref>

While studying at Juilliard, Atkinson made his professional opera debut using his birth name 'David Burke' with the Opera Guild of Montreal (OGM) in January 1948 as Monterone in Giuseppe Verdi's ''Rigoletto''. The following May he performed the role of the High Priest of Dagon in Camille Saint-Saëns's ''Samson and Delilah'' with the OGM.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MOwiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GpkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5918,171458&dq=david-burke+montreal+opera&hl=en|title=Desmarais, Burke, and Rochette Singing Leads With Opera Guild|work=The Montreal Gazette|date=May 1, 1948}}</ref> In September 1948 he made his Broadway debut under the name "John Atkinson" (Atkinson being his mother's maiden name) succeeding John Tyers as Franz Liszt in the musical revue ''Inside U.S.A.''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1948/09/01/archives/silver-whistle-bows-in-october-robert-mcenroe-comedy-to-be-the.html?sq=%2522David+Atkinson%2522&scp=5&st=p|title='Silver Whistle' Bows In October: Robert McEnroe Comedy to Be the Theatre Guild's First Entry of New Season|author=Sam Zolotow|author-link=Sam Zolotow|work=The New York Times|date=September 1, 1948}}</ref> He remained with the production for the musical's first national tour after it closed in New York in February 1949.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1949/01/26/archives/abbott-will-stage-milford-musical-agrees-also-to-work-on-book-of.html?sq=%2522David+Atkinson%2522&scp=6&st=p|title=Abbott Will Stage Milford Musical|author=Sam Zolotow|author-link=Sam Zolotow|work=The New York Times|date=January 26, 1949}}</ref>

In 1950 Atkinson starred as Captain Jim Stewart in Harry Tierney ''Rio Rita'' at the Bucks County Playhouse with Annamary Dickey in the title role.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chatter: Bucks County, Pa.|work=Variety|volume=179|issue= 3|date=June 28, 1950|page=62}}</ref> In 1951 he performed in several productions at the Paper Mill Playhouse, including the roles of Prince Franz in Victor Herbert's ''Sweethearts'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1951/07/03/archives/sweethearts-being-presented.html?sq=%2522David+Atkinson%2522&scp=7&st=p|title='Sweethearts' Being Presented|work=The New York Times|date=July 3, 1951}}</ref> Edvard Grieg in Robert Wright and George Forrest's ''Song of Norway'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1951/09/25/archives/milburn-sees-song-of-norway.html?sq=%2522David+Atkinson%2522&scp=10&st=p|title=Milburn Sees 'Song of Norway'|work=The New York Times|date=September 25, 1951}}</ref> and Pierre Birabeau in Sigmund Romberg's ''The Desert Song''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0F12F7345C107A93C4AB178AD95F458585F9&scp=11&sq=%22David+Atkinson%22&st=p|date=November 26, 1951|work=The New York Times|title=Millburn to Get 'Desert Song'}}</ref> In June 1952 he portrayed Sam in the world premiere of Bernstein's ''Trouble in Tahiti'' at Berstein's Festival of the Creative Arts on the campus of Brandeis University to an audience of nearly 3,000 people.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1952/06/14/archives/bernstein-opera-has-its-premiere-trouble-in-tahiti-unveiled-at.html?sq=%2522David+Atkinson%2522&scp=12&st=p|title=Bernstein Opera Has Its Premiere|work=The New York Times|date=June 14, 1952|author=Howard Taubman|author-link=Howard Taubman}}</ref> The following November he reprised the role of Sam in a nationally televised broadcast of ''Trouble in Tahiti'' presented by the NBC Opera Theatre (NBCOT).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1952/11/17/archives/bernstein-opera-on-video-theatre-trouble-in-tahiti-oneact-work.html?sq=%2522Beverly+Wolff%2522&scp=3&st=p|title=Bernstein Opera On Video Theatre; 'Trouble in Tahiti,' One-Act Work Presented by N. B. C., Deals With Suburbia|work=The New York Times|author=Ross Parmenter|author-link=Ross Parmenter|date=November 17, 1952}}</ref> He would later sing the role of Sam again at the New York City Opera (NYCO) in 1958.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://select.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F40916F63554127B93C5A9178FD85F4C8585F9| title=Double Bill of Marital Strife; Bucci and Bernstein Works at Center| work=The New York Times| author= Howard Taubman| author-link= Howard Taubman| date= April 7, 1958| accessdate= May 20, 2009}}</ref> In 1953 he performed the role of Don Jose in Georges Bizet's ''Carmen'' with Vera Bryner in the title role for NBCOT.

In 1954 Atkinson returned to Broadway to star as Clyde Hallam in the original cast of Sigmund Romberg's ''The Girl in Pink Tights''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1954/03/05/archives/delayed-tights-in-debut-tonight-extravaganza-postponed-twice-opens.html?sq=%2522David+Atkinson%2522&scp=16&st=p|title=Delayed 'Tights' In Debut Tonight|author=Sam Zolotow|author-link=Sam Zolotow|work=The New York Times|date=March 5, 1954}}</ref> In 1955 he starred opposite Carol Channing in the original Broadway production of John La Touche's ''The Vamp''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1955/11/10/82205772.pdf|title=The Vamp Begins Its Run Tonight|work=The New York Times|date=November 10, 1955|author=Louis Calta}}</ref> In 1956 he portrayed two roles in musical revivals mounted by the NYCO at Lincoln Center: Frederick C. Graham to Kitty Carlisle's Lilli Vanessi in Cole Porter's ''Kiss Me, Kate''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/05/10/archives/theatre-kissable-kate.html?sq=%2522David+Atkinson%2522&scp=28&st=p|title=Theatre: Kissable 'Kate'|author=Brooks Atkinson|author-link=Brooks Atkinson|work=The New York Times|date=May 10, 1956}}</ref> and Gaylord Ravenal in Jerome Kern's ''Show Boat''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0D13FC3F5B157B93C0AB178DD85F428585F9&scp=30&sq=%22David+Atkinson%22&st=p|title=The Theatre: Shipshape 'Show Boat'; Spectacle Sails Into Jones Beach Lagoon The Cast|author=Lewis Funke|work= The New York Times|date=June 22, 1956}}</ref> He returned to Lincoln Center in 1957 to perform the role of Tommy Albright in the NYCO's revival of Lerner and Loewe's ''Brigadoon'' which then moved to the Adelphi Theatre on Broadway.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1957/03/28/84910040.pdf|title=Theatre: 'Brigadoon'|author=Brooks Atkinson|author-link=Brooks Atkinson|work=The New York Times|date=March 28, 1957}}</ref> That same year he portrayed Jack Worthing in ''Who's Earnest?'', a musical adaptation of Oscar Wilde's ''The Importance of Being Earnest'' which was broadcast on the television program ''The United States Steel Hour''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1957/10/10/archives/tv-whos-earnest-the-importance-of-oscar-wilde-is-overlooked-in.html?sq=%2522David+Atkinson%2522&scp=63&st=p|title=TV: 'Who's Earnest?'; The Importance of Oscar Wilde Is Overlooked in Musical Version|author=Jack Gould|author-link=Jack Gould|work=The New York Times|date=October 10, 1957}}</ref> In 1958 he created the role of Doctor Gregg in the world premiere of Douglas Moore's opera ''Gallantry'' at the now-destroyed Brander Matthews Theater on 117th Street.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0D11FF3B55127B93C2AB1788D85F4C8585F9&scp=1&sq=%22Gallantry%22+%22opera%22&st=p|title=Moore's Opera, 'Gallantry,' in Premiere|author=H. C. S.|date=March 20, 1958|work=The New York Times}}</ref> He was also seen at Lincoln Center in 1958 as Frank Butler in the NYCO's revival of ''Annie Get Your Gun''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/02/19/archives/theatre-tonight.html?sq=%2522David+Atkinson%2522&scp=67&st=p|title=Theatre Tonight|date=February 19, 1958|work=The New York Times}}</ref> and as Lieutenant Henry Lukash in the world premiere of Robert Kurka's opera ''The Good Soldier Schweik''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/04/24/archives/opera-kurkas-schweik.html?sq=%2522David+Atkinson%2522&scp=75&st=p|title=Opera: Kurka's 'Schweik'|author=Howard Taubman|author-link=Howard Taubman|work=The New York Times|date=April 24, 1958}}</ref> He also portrayed the role of Billy to Jan Clayton's Julie and Ruth Kobart's Nettie in Rodgers and Hammerstein's ''Carousel'' in a production at the Brussels World's Fair.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1958/06/05/82697110.pdf|title=Theatre: Brussels Bow; City Center's 'Carousel' Is the First U. S. Stage Presentation at World's Fair|author=Howard Taubman|author-link=Howard Taubman|work=The New York Times|date=June 5, 1958}}</ref> In 1959 he starred at the NYCO in a revival of ''Say, Darling'' and as Pantaloon in the world premiere of Robert Ward's ''He Who Gets Slapped'' with Norman Kelley as Count Mancini and Regina Sarfaty as Zinida.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1959/04/13/archives/opera-by-robert-ward-city-troupe-offers-he-who-gets-slapped.html?sq=%2522Lee+Venora%2522&scp=14&st=p|title=Opera: By Robert Ward; City Troupe Offers 'He Who Gets Slapped'|author=Howard Taubman|author-link=Howard Taubman|work=The New York Times|date=April 13, 1959|accessdate= October 2, 2009}}</ref> Also in 1959, he appeared in the San Francisco Light Opera Company's production of ''At the Grand'', as the Judge in a revival of ''Can-Can'' in Central Park,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1959/08/26/archives/the-theatre-cancan-musical-is-revived-in-central-park.html?sq=%2522David+Atkinson%2522&scp=93&st=p|title=The Theatre: 'Can-Can'; Musical Is Revived in Central Park|author=Brooks Atkinson|author-link=Brooks Atkinson| work=The New York Times|date=August 26, 1959}}</ref> and appeared as Count Danilo Danilovitsch in a made for television production of Franz Lehár's ''The Merry Widow'' for CBC Television.

In 1960 Atkinson returned to the NYCO to portray Larry Foreman in Marc Blitzstein's ''The Cradle Will Rock''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1960/02/12/archives/opera-blitzsteins-the-cradle-will-rock-makes-the-grade-work-fully.html?sq=%2522David+Atkinson%2522&scp=95&st=p|title=Opera: Blitzstein's 'The Cradle Will Rock' Makes the Grade; Work Fully Staged 23 Years After 1st Stir Blitzstein Show Done, at the City Center|author=Howard Taubman|author-link=Howard Taubman|work=The New York Times|date=February 12, 1960}}</ref> In 1961 he took over the role of Mack the Knife in the Off-Broadway revival of Kurt Weill's ''The Threepenny Opera'' at the Theater de Lys,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1961/05/23/archives/4-troupes-slate-calamity-jane-shows-tryout-on-summer-circuit-test.html?sq=%2522David+Atkinson%2522&scp=101&st=p|title=4 TROUPES SLATE 'CALAMITY JANE'; Show's Tryout on Summer Circuit Test for Broadway|author=Sam Zolotow|author-link=Sam Zolotow|work=The New York Times|date=May 23, 1961}}</ref> but left that production after just a few weeks to create the role of Jack Absolute in the world premiere of Bruce Geller's ''All In Love'' at the Martinique Theatre in New York City.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1961/11/11/archives/theatre-all-in-love-sheridans-rivals-is-converted-to-musical.html?sq=%2522David+Atkinson%2522&scp=105&st=p|title=Theatre: 'All in Love'; Sheridan's 'Rivals' Is Converted to Musical|author=Milton Esterow|date=November 11, 1961|work=The New York Times}}</ref> In 1963 he replaced Ronald Holgate as Captain Miles Gloriosus in the original Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's ''A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1963/10/17/121485193.pdf|title='ZENDA' MUSICAL TO CLOSE ON ROAD; Show to Be Revamped After Withdrawal Nov. 16 McHugh Returns to Stage 'Any Wednesday'|author=Sam Zolotow|author-link=Sam Zolotow|date=October 17, 1963|work=The New York Times}}</ref> In 1964 he performed the role of Phileas Fogg in a musical adaptation of ''Around the World in Eighty Days'' at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1964/06/29/118667205.pdf|title=Theater: At Jones Beach; Lombardo Back With 'Around the World'|work=The New York Times|date=June 29, 1964|first=Lewis|last=Funke}}</ref> He returned to Jones Beach in 1965 to star in the musical ''Mardi Gras!''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/06/28/archives/-mardi-gras-in-premiere-at-jones-beach-theater-seasons-extravaganza.html?sq=%2522David+Atkinson%2522&scp=113&st=p|title=' Mardi Gras!' in Premiere at Jones Beach Theater; Season's Extravaganza Adheres to Formula|work=The New York Times|date=June 28, 1965}}</ref>

In 1967 Atkinson took over the role of Cervantes in the original Broadway production of ''Man of La Mancha'', and in 1968 he performed the role in the National touring production. He notably sang the song 'The Impossible Dream' live at the 22nd Tony Awards. He returned to the Broadway cast of the show in 1969.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1969/09/08/88861378.pdf|title=Atkinson Rejoins Musical|work=The New York Times|date=September 8, 1969}}</ref> He later played Cervantes again for the matinee performance only in the 1972 Broadway revival of the show, and at the Coachlight Dinner Theater in Nanuet, New York in 1980.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/06/01/archives/westchester-weekly-theater-man-of-la-mancha-an-improbable-dream.html?sq=%2522David+Atkinson%2522&scp=134&st=p|title=THEATER; 'Man of La Mancha' an Improbable Dream|author=Haskel Frankel|date=June 1, 1980|work=The New York Times}}</ref> In 1973 he performed in Brian Friel's play, ''The Freedom of the City'' at the Royal Court Theatre in London.

Atkinson died in New York in 2012.

==References== ;Citations {{Reflist | colwidth = 30em | refs = }}

==External links== *{{IBDB name}} *{{IMDb name|0040696|David Atkinson}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Atkinson, David}} Category:1921 births Category:2012 deaths Category:Canadian male musical theatre actors Category:Juilliard School alumni Category:McGill University School of Music alumni Category:Canadian operatic baritones Category:Bishop's College School alumni Category:20th-century Canadian male singers Category:Canadian expatriate musicians in the United States Category:Canadian expatriate male actors in the United States