Salt Lake Telegram | 1936-01-10 | Page 15 | Chance, Determination Win Grand Opera Role for Tenor

Chance Determination Win Grand Opera Role for Tenor NEW V YORK Jan 10 UP UP-A UP A minor illness of ot a Metropolitan op opera star and a IL series of nt fortuities fortuities ties won for Joseph Benton t today day a a. sen sensational J reward for tor renunciation r renunciation nun nun- cl Uon of ot 8 a a. promising medical career and i 33 jJ years of ot vol voice o study Thirteen years ago Benton tl then en 20 r refused an an offer otter of ot a Rhodes Rhodes' scholarship from the University I of ot Oklahoma to a accept a n scholarship scholarship scholarship scholar scholar- ship in music Wednesday afternoon afternoon after alter noon having followed the lure Jure of at music for tor all aU the Intervening 13 years yeara years he ho sang t for r the conductors of ot the Metropolitan opera Last night ho signed a seasons season's contract and tonight he makes his debut In the Metropolitan apex of ot opera opera as u Des in Massen ts t's Manon Mahon Opera authorities authorities authorities au au- said his leap over oer night Into feature billings was unprecedented unprecedented dented j i Louis conductor who cast the deciding vote for tor Be Bentons Benton's ns n's engagement said his tenor voice is marvelous but chance played an important partIn part partIn In helping the Oklahoman over the tho last ast barriers t to stardom After Alter his audition Wednesday Benton might have waited months months' or several seasons before obtaining obtain obtain- log ing a l Metropolitan role foJe Many now famous singers singers' ers ers' have done so But yesterday Richard Crooks tenor to the role of ot Des Du for tor tonight fell ill and nd his physician telephoned Edward Johnson Metropolitan manager i that he would be bo unable to sing I At that moment Benton walked Into Johnsons Johnson's office to discuss his audition of oC tho the previous day