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MAX WORTHLEY
Max Worthley (1913-1999) was an Australian operatic and oratorio tenor. He appeared in opera houses in England, Australia and Europe. As a recitalist and concert artist he performed in England, Australia, USA, Germany, Belgium, Vienna, Singapore, New Zealand and Malaya. Radio and television broadcasts included programmes for the ABC(Australian Broadcasting Corporation)and the BBC Third Programme. Worthley was a member of the Deller Consort from 1961 through 1967.

Early Life
Maxwell George Worthley was born in Adelaide, Australia on February 19, 1913 to Hercules Lyall Worthley, a tailor, and Clarice Mary Worthley (nee Macklin). He was the oldest of 6 children, and aspired to a singing career from an early age. Mrs. Hermann Kugelberg was his primary teacher as a young man and he sang in a local choir. He attended Elder Conservatorium in Adelaide on a part time basis while supporting himself working as a bank clerk, graduating at 21 years old.

Early Career
Worthley sang in local orchestral concerts and radio broadcasts in Adelaide. He was engaged for concert broadcasts being made with the noted composer Percy Grainger as a series for the ABC(Australian Broadcasting Company) in 1934. Concurrent with pursuing a singing career, he continued to work as a bank teller until 1940 when, at the outset of World War II, he joined the 2nd AIF (Australian Imperial Force)as an infantryman in the 43rd Battalion, 9th Division. He was discharged as a Captain at the end of the war after serving 5-1/2 years fighting in New Guinea, Borneo, North Africa and the Middle East.

Personal Facts
Born:    February 19th, 1913. Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Died:    November 19th, 1999, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA. Cremated and interred at Fairview Memorial Gardens, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA. Parents: Hercules Lyall Worthley(proprietor of a tailor shop) and Clarice Mary Macklin.

Siblings: Oldest surviving child of 6.

1939 married Constance Whittle(Born:1912- Died: -February 15,1953, Adelaide, Australia)

1953 married Edith Ellen French, pianist, (Born: -June 22nd, 1917, Christchurch, New Zealand; Died: - November 18, 2014, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA).

No issue from either union.

Citizenship: Australian citizen, never became an American citizen

World War II: served 1939-1945, Australian Army, served in North Africa, New Guinea. AIF 43rd Battalion, 9th Division. Captain.

Recordings
Vanguard (The Bach Guild) Vanguard. Music of Henry Purcell. The Complete Vanguard Recordings, vol. 2, Deller Consort, Alfred Deller.

Alexander's Feast (Handel){Citation | author1=Barker, John W | title=Handel: Saul; Alexander's Feast; Birthday Ode for Queen Anne; Ercole.(Stephan Macleod (Saul), David Cordier (David), Knut Schoch (Jonathan), Barbara Schlick (Michal), Claron McFadden (Merab, Witch of Endor), Junge Kantorei, Frankfurt Baroque Orchestra, Joachim Carlos Martini, Honor Sheppard, Mary Thomas, Alfred Deller, Mark Deller, Max Worthley, Maurice Bevan,)(Review) | journal=American Record Guide | publication-date=1999-07-01 | publisher=Record Guide Productions | volume=62 | issue=4 | pages=116(2) | issn=0003-0716 }} Harmonia Mundi (Germany)

with Deller Consort Harmonia Mundi (Germany) Harmonia Mundi (France) Madrigals (Vanguard)

Singing Career Highlights
1. English Opera Group, 5 seasons 1948-52. Performances included: Britten, The Beggar's Opera (role of Filch, Nimming Ned and Jailer); Britten, Albert Herring (shared title role of Albert with Peter Pears) ; Britten, Let's Make an Opera!/The Little Sweep (premiere production, roles of Clem and Alfred); Britten, Dido and Aeneas (roles of Spirit and Sailor); Britten, Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda (role of Tancredi); Oldham, Love in a Village (role of Young Meadows).

2. Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 1951-52, 1 season. Performances included: Berg, Wozzeck (role of Captain); Mozart, The Marriage of Figaro (role of Don Basilio); Britten, Billy Budd, (role of The Novice).

3. London Opera Club. Leading tenor voice.

4. Australian National Opera, Melbourne, 1954. Sang in Albert Herring by Benjamin Britten, (first Australian performance).

5. Elizabethan Theatre Trust Opera Company, 2 seasons, 1956-57. Mozart, The Magic Flute (role of Tamino); Mozart, Don Giovanni (role of Don Ottavio), Puccini, La Boheme (role of Rodolfo).

6. Elder Conservatorium, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 1952-57.

7. Other concerts, recitals, oratorios and radio and TV broadcasts for ABC, BBC, Germany, Malaya, Belgium, Vienna - never released to the public.

8. Deller Consort, 5 years, 1961-1967.

9. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Professor of Voice and Opera, 1967-1980. .

10. BBC Broadcasts & Telecasts from London during 1960's include: Delius, Fennimore and Gerda, (role of Erik); Gilbert & Sullivan, Mikado, Trial by Jury, Ruddigore; Handel, Saul; Strauss, Die Fledermaus;.

References:

5. Program, The Deller Consort, Trenton State College (NJ) 21/11/1966, 8:15, Kendall Hall. Max Worthley, Tenor. 6. Program, The Elizabethan Trust Opera Company presents Grand Opera Season 1957, His Majesty's Theatre, Brisbane (Queensland, Australia), Max Worthley, Tenor. 7. Program, His Majesty's Theatre, Brisbane, Australia's Mozart Opera Season, Season Commenced Saturday, September 22, 1956. Max Worthley, Tenor.

Recording: Alexander's Feast (Handel){Citation | author1=Barker, John W | title=Hendel: Saul; Alexander's Feast; Birthday Ode for Queen Anne; Ercole.(Stephan Macleod (Saul), David Cordier (David), Knut Schoch (Jonathan), Barbara Schlick (Michal), Claron McFadden (Merab, Witch of Endor), Junge Kantorei, Frankfurt Baroque Orchestra, Joachim Carlos Martini, Honor Sheppard, Mary Thomas, Alfred Deller, Mark Deller, Max Worthley, Maurice Bevan,)(Review) | journal=American Record Guide | publication-date=1999-07-01 | publisher=Record Guide Productions | volume=62 | issue=4 | pages=116(2) | issn=0003-0716 }}