Victor White

White, Victor

Victor White. Tenor, administrator, b London 7 Aug 1918, d Vancouver 20 Sep 1984. Raised in Prince Albert, Sask, and in the Fraser Valley, BC, he studied during World War II with Ernesto Vinci in Halifax and Pauline Donalda in Montreal. Studies continued 1947-52 with Vinci at the RCMT. White sang in recital and opera for the CBC and appeared with the Royal Cons Opera (University of Toronto Opera Division) as Don Basilio in The Marriage of Figaro (1951), Vasek in The Bartered Bride (1952), and Yamadori in Madama Butterfly (1953). He continued his studies in England with Roy Henderson, sang 1956-8 at the Glyndebourne Festival, became principal tenor (ca 1957-8) of the Welsh National Opera, and appeared as a guest 1957-9 at Sadler's Wells. He also made some recordings (78s) of religious songs. More studies followed in Milan 1958-61, but a throat problem ended his singing career; he returned to Canada in 1961. Turning to a career in administration, he served 1963-72 as general manager and 1972-84 as a member of the board of directors of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. He was president 1974-5 of Endeavour, a Vancouver fundraising organization for the arts, sciences, and health.