The great American tenor, Jan Peerce, child of Jewish immigrants, was born in 1904 in New York City. He delighted audiences for more than 60 years, including three decades as a Metropolitan Opera favorite. In 1961, Jan Peerce spoke with Studs Terkel about Verdi, cantorial repertoire, and more.
Jan Peerce (5/15/1961)

Jan Peerce, 1944 (Source: Hymn of the Nations, a film by United States Office of War Information via wikimedia.org)