Background
Tibbett, Lawrence Mervil was born on November 16, 1896 in Bakersfield, California, United States. Son of William Edward and Frances Ellen (Mackenzie) Tibbett.
Tibbett, Lawrence Mervil was born on November 16, 1896 in Bakersfield, California, United States. Son of William Edward and Frances Ellen (Mackenzie) Tibbett.
Education high school 4 years and Manual Arts Junior College, Los Angeles, 2 years. Studied voice under Joseph Dupuy and Basil Ruysdael, Los Angeles, California, and Frank Louisiana Forge and Ignaz Zitomirsky, New New York Honorary Master of Music, University of Southern California, 1928.
Doctor of Music, New York University, 1934.
1 son, Michael Edward. First appeared on concert stage at Los Angeles, 1917. Operatic debut in Hollywood Bowl, singing part of Amonasro, in “Aïda,” September 1923.
Debut with Metropolitan Opera Company, New York, as Valentine, in “Faust,” November 30, 1923.
Given ovation at revival of “Falstaff,” Metropolitan Opera House, January 2, 1925. Concert tours annually from coast to coast.
Identified with moving pictures since 1929. Gold medal “for good diction on the stage” by American Academy of Arts and Letters, 1933.
Chosen “best classical singer” by radio editors poll four consecutive years.
Presented with Litteris et Artibus medal by King of Sweden, 1937. Home: 150 East. 56th Saint, New York City 22.
Married Grace Mackay Smith, May 19, 1919. Married second, Mistress. Children: Richard Mackay and Lawrence Ivan (twins).