# David Atkinson (baritone)

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{{short description|Canadian opera singer}}

'''David Anthony Stuart Atkinson''' (born '''David Burke'''; October 20, 1921 – October 4, 2012) was a Canadian [baritone](/source/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 [musical](/source/musical_theatre)s and [operetta](/source/operetta)s in New York City from the late 1940s through the early 1970s, although he did appear in some [opera](/source/opera)s and made a few television appearances. In 1952 he created the role of Sam in the world premiere of [Leonard Bernstein](/source/Leonard_Bernstein)'s ''[Trouble in Tahiti](/source/Trouble_in_Tahiti)''. From 1956-1962 he was a leading performer at the [New York City Opera](/source/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](/source/Man_of_La_Mancha)'' which he portrayed in the original Broadway production (replacing [Richard Kiley](/source/Richard_Kiley)), the 1968 national tour, and in the 1972 Broadway revival.

==Life and career==
Born David Burke in [Montreal](/source/Montreal), Atkinson grew up in [Saint-Romuald, Quebec](/source/Saint-Romuald%2C_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](/source/Bishop's_College_School), he served in the [Royal Canadian Air Force](/source/Royal_Canadian_Air_Force) during [World War II](/source/World_War_II) in the [South Pacific](/source/Pacific_Ocean) just prior to Japan's surrender. After the war he studied music at [McGill University](/source/McGill_University) in 1946. He left McGill in 1947 after winning a scholarship to attend the [Juilliard School](/source/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](/source/Ottawa_Citizen)|date=December 1, 1955}}</ref> He continued to study singing privately with [Harry Jompulsky](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Opera_Guild_of_Montreal) (OGM) in January 1948 as Monterone in [Giuseppe Verdi](/source/Giuseppe_Verdi)'s ''[Rigoletto](/source/Rigoletto)''. The following May he performed the role of the High Priest of Dagon in [Camille Saint-Saëns](/source/Camille_Saint-Sa%C3%ABns)'s ''[Samson and Delilah](/source/Samson_and_Delilah_(opera))'' 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](/source/The_Montreal_Gazette)|date=May 1, 1948}}</ref> In September 1948 he made his [Broadway](/source/Broadway_theatre) debut under the name "John Atkinson" (Atkinson being his mother's maiden name) succeeding John Tyers as [Franz Liszt](/source/Franz_Liszt) in the musical revue ''[Inside U.S.A.](/source/Inside_U.S.A._(musical))''<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](/source/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](/source/The_New_York_Times)|date=January 26, 1949}}</ref>

In 1950 Atkinson starred as Captain Jim Stewart in [Harry Tierney](/source/Harry_Tierney) ''[Rio Rita](/source/Rio_Rita_(musical))'' at the [Bucks County Playhouse](/source/Bucks_County_Playhouse) with [Annamary Dickey](/source/Annamary_Dickey) in the title role.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chatter: Bucks County, Pa.|work=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))|volume=179|issue= 3|date=June 28, 1950|page=62}}</ref> In 1951 he performed in several productions at the [Paper Mill Playhouse](/source/Paper_Mill_Playhouse), including the roles of Prince Franz in [Victor Herbert](/source/Victor_Herbert)'s ''[Sweethearts](/source/Sweethearts_(musical))'',<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](/source/The_New_York_Times)|date=July 3, 1951}}</ref> [Edvard Grieg](/source/Edvard_Grieg) in [Robert Wright](/source/Robert_Wright_(writer)) and [George Forrest](/source/George_Forrest_(author))'s ''[Song of Norway](/source/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](/source/The_New_York_Times)|date=September 25, 1951}}</ref> and Pierre Birabeau in [Sigmund Romberg](/source/Sigmund_Romberg)'s ''[The Desert Song](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Trouble_in_Tahiti)'' at Berstein's Festival of the Creative Arts on the campus of [Brandeis University](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Trouble_in_Tahiti)'' presented by the [NBC Opera Theatre](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Georges_Bizet)'s ''[Carmen](/source/Carmen)'' with [Vera Bryner](/source/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](/source/Sigmund_Romberg)'s ''[The Girl in Pink Tights](/source/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](/source/The_New_York_Times)|date=March 5, 1954}}</ref> In 1955 he starred opposite [Carol Channing](/source/Carol_Channing) in the original Broadway production of [John La Touche](/source/John_La_Touche_(lyricist))'s ''[The Vamp](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Lincoln_Center_for_the_Performing_Arts): Frederick C. Graham to [Kitty Carlisle](/source/Kitty_Carlisle)'s Lilli Vanessi in [Cole Porter](/source/Cole_Porter)'s ''[Kiss Me, Kate](/source/Kiss_Me%2C_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](/source/The_New_York_Times)|date=May 10, 1956}}</ref> and Gaylord Ravenal in [Jerome Kern](/source/Jerome_Kern)'s ''[Show Boat](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Lerner_and_Loewe)'s ''[Brigadoon](/source/Brigadoon)'' which then moved to the [Adelphi Theatre](/source/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](/source/The_New_York_Times)|date=March 28, 1957}}</ref> That same year he portrayed Jack Worthing in ''[Who's Earnest?](/source/Who's_Earnest%3F)'', a musical adaptation of [Oscar Wilde](/source/Oscar_Wilde)'s ''[The Importance of Being Earnest](/source/The_Importance_of_Being_Earnest)'' which was broadcast on the television program ''[The United States Steel Hour](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Douglas_Moore)'s opera ''[Gallantry](/source/Gallantry_(opera))'' 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](/source/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](/source/Annie_Get_Your_Gun_(musical))''<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](/source/The_New_York_Times)}}</ref> and as Lieutenant Henry Lukash in the world premiere of [Robert Kurka](/source/Robert_Kurka)'s opera ''[The Good Soldier Schweik](/source/The_Good_Soldier_Schweik_(opera))''.<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](/source/The_New_York_Times)|date=April 24, 1958}}</ref> He also portrayed the role of Billy to [Jan Clayton](/source/Jan_Clayton)'s Julie and [Ruth Kobart](/source/Ruth_Kobart)'s Nettie in [Rodgers and Hammerstein](/source/Rodgers_and_Hammerstein)'s ''[Carousel](/source/Carousel_(musical))'' in a production at the [Brussels World's Fair](/source/Expo_58).<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](/source/The_New_York_Times)|date=June 5, 1958}}</ref> In 1959 he starred at the NYCO in a revival of ''[Say, Darling](/source/Say%2C_Darling)'' and as Pantaloon in the world premiere of [Robert Ward](/source/Robert_Ward_(composer))'s ''[He Who Gets Slapped](/source/He_Who_Gets_Slapped_(opera))'' with [Norman Kelley](/source/Norman_Kelley) as Count Mancini and [Regina Sarfaty](/source/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](/source/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](/source/San_Francisco_Light_Opera_Company)'s production of ''At the Grand'', as the Judge in a revival of ''[Can-Can](/source/Can-Can_(musical))'' in [Central Park](/source/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](/source/Franz_Leh%C3%A1r)'s ''[The Merry Widow](/source/The_Merry_Widow)'' for [CBC Television](/source/CBC_Television).

In 1960 Atkinson returned to the NYCO to portray Larry Foreman in [Marc Blitzstein](/source/Marc_Blitzstein)'s ''[The Cradle Will Rock](/source/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](/source/The_New_York_Times)|date=February 12, 1960}}</ref> In 1961 he took over the role of Mack the Knife in the [Off-Broadway](/source/Off-Broadway) revival of [Kurt Weill](/source/Kurt_Weill)'s ''[The Threepenny Opera](/source/The_Threepenny_Opera)'' at the [Theater de Lys](/source/Lucille_Lortel_Theatre),<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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/The_New_York_Times)}}</ref> In 1963 he replaced [Ronald Holgate](/source/Ronald_Holgate) as Captain Miles Gloriosus in the original Broadway production of [Stephen Sondheim](/source/Stephen_Sondheim)'s ''[A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Around_the_World_in_Eighty_Days)'' at the [Nikon at Jones Beach Theater](/source/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](/source/Man_of_La_Mancha)'', and in 1968 he performed the role in the National touring production. He notably sang the song '[The Impossible Dream](/source/The_Impossible_Dream_(The_Quest))' live at the [22nd Tony Awards](/source/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](/source/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](/source/The_New_York_Times)}}</ref> In 1973 he performed in [Brian Friel](/source/Brian_Friel)'s play, ''[The Freedom of the City](/source/The_Freedom_of_the_City)'' at the [Royal Court Theatre](/source/Royal_Court_Theatre) in London.

Atkinson died in New York in 2012.

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

== See also ==
*[List of Bishop's College School alumni](/source/List_of_Bishop's_College_School_alumni)

{{Authority control}}

{{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

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [David Atkinson (baritone)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Atkinson_(baritone)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Atkinson_(baritone)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.