A Scottish Tenor...

Today we return to the world of classical music, and opera in particular, by looking at the life and career of Scottish lyric tenor, Joseph Hislop.
Born in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, on 5th April, 1884, Hislop's musical career started in the role of chorister at St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral School.  As a young man, Hislop also studied photoprocess engraving, and when his future in music was dismissed, he travelled to Sweden to teach the latest photoprocess methods to a company in Gothenburg.

While in Sweden, he joined a male choir in Stockholm, and contrary to earlier opinions, Hislop was encouraged to leave his trade, and pursue music as a career!  Soon, he was touring the world, singing leads in many of the great opera houses.

In Sweden, the Scot received a number of honours, including the Literis et Artibus (1922) and the Order of Vasa (1929).  In 1926, Hislop received the Order of the Dannebrog in neighbouring Denmark.  In 1928, he was appointed Professor of Singing at the Royal Swedish Academy of Music in Stockholm, and during his 20-year tenure, Hislop's students included Birgit Nilsson and Jussi Bjoerling.

On 6th May, 1977, Joseph Hislop died at his home in Fife, survived by his second wife, Nancy.