singers early in their careers. $80,000 is given each year to the winners of an annual competition. Directing In 1975, he directed the first Ring Cycle produced by Seattle Opera, creating its "Pacific Northwest Wagner Festival". From 1975 until 1977 he was general director of the Washington Opera. Vocal signature His voice was large, dark and resonant with a massive, penetrating top. Although it was also rather thickly-textured, London at his best commanded a wide range of dynamics, from delicate pianississimi to resounding fortes. His musicianship won him acclaim on three continents. London was also a fine actor with a robust stage presence; he was tall, powerfully built and striking. London's talent was celebrated twice before his death. In the Carnegie Hall concert of 1981, introduced by Beverly Sills, performances were given by a long list of colleagues. In Vienna, 1984, some of the world's greatest singers assembled to honor the artist. Health issues and death In the 1960s, his voice began to deteriorate and partial vocal paralysis was diagnosed. He took injections of silicone and teflon, but did not improve. In 1977, a massive heart attack left him half paralyzed, with brain damage. After that, his health inexorably declined. A few years later, he managed to survive a second heart attack. On March 24, 1985, he died in Armonk, New York, after a third heart attack. He was 64 years old. References Bibliography London, Nora. "ARIA FOR GEORGE"'. Fort Worth: Baskerville, 2005; External links 1920 births 1985 deaths American operatic bass-baritones American people of Russian-Jewish descent 20th-century American male opera singers Jewish opera singers American expatriates in Canada