
Daria Khristova nee Chernenko
Department Director
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£70,000 - £100,000
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Department Director
Provenance
Count John McCormack (1884-1945)
Thence by direct descent
Count John McCormack achieved universal renown as a tenor and was recognised by the Papacy for his work with Catholic charities. Born in Ireland where his talents were fostered from an early age, McCormack made his operatic debut in Italy in 1906, becoming the most celebrated lyric tenor of his time by 1912. Moving to the United States in 1917, McCormack took American citizenship and became well-known in Hollywood circles when he moved there after buying Runyon Canyon in 1930. As well as Hollywood, McCormack had houses in County Kildare, London and New York. He retired to Dublin with ill health and died in 1945.
A life-sized bronze of McCormack by sculptor Elizabeth O'Kane was unveiled in Dublin in June 2008. The statue stands in the Iveagh Gardens, close to the National Concert Hall.