John Gurney (1902-1997) was an American bass, active for many years at the Metropolitan Opera. He appeared in a wide repertory including Wagner, Verdi, Mozart and Russian opera.

In the Pristine catalogue he appears in Leinsdorf’s 1941 Metropolitan Opera Tristan und Isolde with Kirsten Flagstad, Lauritz Melchior and Alexander Kipnis.

Gurney’s singing brought the firm lower-voice presence needed in large Wagner casts, where bass roles often act as the ground beneath the drama.

His page is justified by career standing and catalogue context. Gurney gives the Met Wagner shelf a sturdy American bass foundation.