By Francis Quamina Farrier

MOST people who have had the pleasure of hearing the sweet singing voice of Evelyn John, agree that she was Guyana’s greatest Soprano. After singing on stage, radio and recordings for 70 years, Rev. Dr. Evelyn Rose John, passed away on Friday, January 12, 2018, in Brooklyn, New York, where she was in residence for a number of years.

The life of this well-known daughter of Guyana can be summed up in three words: music, singing and service. As a 10-year-old in Georgetown in 1947, Evelyn Arthur (later John), entered and won the hotly contested Local Singing Competition, “IN SEARCH OF A STAR” on Radio Demerara. She had immediately won the hearts of hundreds of Guyanese all across the country, who love good music and singing.

Following that initial success, Evelyn went on to be a regular feature at the British Guiana Music Festivals of the 1950s and built up a reputation as Guyana’s top Soprano. As the years went by, she sang on stage at the popular Sunday afternoon concerts at the City Hall, as well as the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown, as the featured soloist, to what were usually sold-out recitals. Evelyn John also teamed up with the best-accomplished tenors and baritones of the day in British Guiana, performing duets for appreciative audiences.

Among those singing duets with Evelyn John, was Sir David Rose, Guyana’s first (and only) Governor General, who possessed one of the most beautiful baritone voices ever in Guyana; and I would add, in the world. I can recall a Christmas concert which was staged by the Woodside Choir, on the western steps of the St. George’s Cathedral, at which Sir David Rose was the Special Guest performer. He wowed the audience.

It is apt to note that one of Evelyn John’s greatest achievements was officially singing the Guyana National Anthem for the very first time. The event was at the National Park in Georgetown, on the occasion of Guyana’s Independence Celebrations on May 26, 1966.
During the ensuing years, Evelyn John recorded a number of songs; “Roll the Stone of Hindrance Away”, “Lead me Heavenly Father” and “The Miracle Power of God” being three of the more popular ones.

Her life at that time was moving in the direction of spiritual activities, as she became a student of the principles of metaphysics. Many will recall her leadership at the Unity Church located at the corner of Princes and Ketley Streets in Georgetown. In 1980, she was ordained a Minister at the University of Healing in San Diego, California, USA. She later migrated to the USA in 1983. In 1984 Evelyn John established The New Life Center of Truth in Brooklyn, New York, and was its Religious Leader until her recent passing.

Shortly after graduating from High School, Evelyn Arthur married Barrister-at-law Llewellyn John, and together they had five children. At the time of her passing, they were married for 61 years. A leading barrister-at-law and politician, Llewellyn John served as a Minister of Home Affairs for a period and continued his practice in Guyana. Although physically apart for periods of time, the couple communicated and spent much time together either in Guyana or the USA.

Travelling from Guyana to New York last week, Llewelyn John was there at the Homegoing Service for his dear wife. He made a moving tribute to her in the packed New Life Center of Truth. Those in attendance could have recognised that the now 90-plus husband, was still so much in love with his dear departed spouse of 61 years.
Though the voice of Guyana’s greatest Soprano is now silent, however, her recordings are still available for us to enjoy (hopefully on local Radio as well) for years and years to come.