Alan Crofoot

Crofoot, Alan

Alan (Paul) Crofoot. Tenor, actor, b Toronto 2 Jun 1929, d Dayton, Ohio, 5 Mar 1979; MA psychology (Toronto) 1953. He won singing scholarships from the CNE and Royal Cons Opera School (University of Toronto Opera Division) in 1955, and while studying at the latter he made his COC debut in 1956 as Yakuside in Madama Butterfly. He later continued his studies in Munich with Lorenz Fehenberger. He married the soprano Dodi Protero in 1961. After three years 1960-3 at Sadler's Wells, he created Mr Bumble in the Broadway production (1964) of Oliver!, Josiah Creach in the New Orleans Opera production (1965) of Carlisle Floyd's Markheim, and Clarence in the COC production of Raymond Pannell'sThe Luck of Ginger Coffey (1967). Crofoot appeared with the New York City, Honolulu, Boston, and San Francisco operas and in the festivals at Stratford, Ont, and Glyndebourne. He also acted on stage and TV, and starred 1963-4 in the CBC TV children's show 'Mr. Piper'. His other COC roles included Alfred in Die Fledermaus (1957, 1964, 1969), Bacchus in the touring production of Orpheus in the Underworld (1961, 1970, 1971), and the parish priest in the CBC TV opera The Lost Child by Godfrey Ridout (1976).

In 1978 Crofoot's career gained impetus through a contract with the Metropolitan Opera. He made his debut there as the Circus Master in a new production of Smetana's The Bartered Bride, appearing also in the telecast of that production. Also in 1978 he sang the title roles in Mozart's La Clemenza de Tito for Stuart Hamilton's Opera in Concert series in Toronto and in the Guelph Spring Festival's Canadian premiere of Schubert's Lazarus, and was Herod in the Central City Opera (Denver) production of Strauss' Salome. He died in 1979, while in Dayton, Ohio, preparing to direct a production of Salome. Crofoot recorded as Padre in Man of La Mancha (1968, Decca DXSA 7203) and as John Styx in Orpheus in the Underworld (1960, Angel 35903/ HMV Greensleeve ED 290351).