Frederic Cox and the Italian Tradition

Frederic Cox had studied as a tenor with Joseph Hislop and the renowned E Herbert Caesari whose books on vocal technique and production are today still regarded as amongst the most formative on the subject. Caesari had himself studied with the celebrated Italian baritone Antonio Cotogni. Cotogni, a favourite of Verdi, had retired from the stage and become one of the most sought after teachers. Whilst studying with Cotogni, Caesaris fellow students included amongst others Giacomo Lauri-Volpi and Beniamino Gigli who became a lifelong friend. War interrupted Frederic Cox’s vocal activity and afterwards he was awarded an OBE and the Order of Leopold for his services in setting up the Home Office in Belgium. After the war Cox then joined the faculty at the Royal Manchester College of Music as a vocal tutor in 1949. He was appointed principal of the college in 1953 and remained principal until 1970. Under his leadership the college became one of the foremost conservatoires in Europe especially in the field of opera. When in 1970 the college amalgamated with the Northern School of Music to become the RNCM he was given the title Principal Emeritus. Amongst his pupils include Ryland Davis, Anne Howells, Dennis O’Neill, Joseph Ward, Ann Murray, Rosalind Plowright, and John Mitchinson.