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462:. While they were living in California, the McFerrins' marriage ended in divorce. McFerrin credited his ex-wife with helping to support the family while he was beginning his career. She also played as his piano accompanist and helped him learn new music at the keyboard. After 15 years in California, McFerrin moved to St. Louis, Missouri.
383:'s accomplishment is the fact that McFerrin was already engaged to make his debut when Anderson received her contract. With his Rigoletto in 1956 McFerrin became the first African-American in history to sing a title role at the Met. In addition, McFerrin was the first African-American to sing at both the Metropolitan Opera and
486:
follow their parents' footsteps into the classical field. Bobby became a non-classical singer, conductor, composer and Grammy Award winner. Calling herself a consumer vocalist, Brenda pursued a career as a Motown recording artist. The three sang in 1987 at a benefit concert for the McFerrin
Endowment for Minority Artist at the
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During these years he sang in public with his children. Bobby and Brenda had grown up in a household where music was a major topic of conversation, and where, as Bobby McFerrin recalls, "there was all kinds of music." Both Bobby and Brenda became professional singers, though they chose not to
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made history during Bing's tenure as the first
African-American lead hired to sing on the Met stage. McFerrin followed with his Met debut in the same month, on January 27, 1955. Thus, McFerrin became the first black man to sing at the Metropolitan Opera. Rarely stated in the great publicity
481:
In 1973 McFerrin returned to St Louis, the city where he had attended high school; it remained his primary residence for the rest of his life. McFerrin accepted an appointment as Artist-in-Residence at the St. Louis
Institute of Music Conservatory, both performing and teaching.
363:", the first African-American to do so. During this time, it was usual for the winner of the "Auditions of the Air" to receive six months' training and a contract to sing at the Met. McFerrin received 13 months training but did not receive a contract.
516:, in conjunction with the Association of U.S. and International Professional Opera Companies and Opera Volunteers International, honored McFerrin with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He is commemorated by a brass star and bronze plaque embedded in the
543:, wrote, "Robert McFerrin Sr.'s heart was that of a giant; as one of the world's greatest singers and courageous pioneers, he instilled within me and countless other black males the resolve to pursue our destinies as performers in the profession of
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the musical numbers. McFerrin was engaged to provide Porgy's singing voice. The McFerrins settled in
Hollywood that year so that McFerrin could begin working with Sidney Poitier. When the movie was released in 1959, the
554:, has said in interviews, "His work influenced everything I do musically. When I direct a choir, I go for his sound. His musical influence was absolutely profound. I cannot do anything without me hearing his voice."
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and impressed the director, Wirt Walton, sufficiently that he began teaching McFerrin privately. Walton also arranged for McFerrin's first vocal recital to help him earn funds for his college enrollment.
415:
Concerned with the uncertainty of his future in New York, McFerrin resigned his position at the Met in favor of his chances in
Hollywood. After 1958 McFerrin appeared no more at the Metropolitan Opera.
574:, for the Metropolitan Opera Club (1956). His "Cortigiani" with Fausto Cleva conducting, called "consummate," was also later released in 2001 by the Metropolitan Opera Guild on a collection called
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McFerrin's accomplishments as a black man in the field of classical singing served as an inspiration to singers of color who followed, especially men. Upon McFerrin's death, the
African-American
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and transferred to that institution. World War II and the Draft interrupted McFerrin's schooling, but he returned to
Chicago Musical College after discharge from the U.S. Army as a
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610:, EMI Records (USA), UPC: 077779204823, released 1990. This CD is a Bobby McFerrin release in which he sings the song "Discipline" with his father, Robert McFerrin Sr.
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367:, an African American lyric soprano, who had sung as a substitute chorus member for a Met Opera in 1947, is the only known African American singer to precede him.
584:, live recording, with the Teatro San Carlo (1956). This recording, conducted by Vincenzo Bellezza, was originally identified, "The Golden Age of Opera GAO 130."
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stated that, like
Poitier's acting, McFerrin's singing was "as sensitive and strong as one could wish." The soundtrack was released as an LP.
165:. As a young teenager he joined two of his siblings in a trio. The three accompanied their father on regional preaching engagements, singing
137:
of beautiful quality, even in all registers, and with a top that partakes of something of a tenor's ringing brilliance." He was the father of
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McFerrin and his wife set up a vocal studio in Los
Angeles and began teaching. In 1959 McFerrin was engaged to teach singing lessons at the
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547:. In spite of the personal hardships he endured, his magnificent voice retained its amazing power and beauty well into his 8th decade..."
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McFerrin had distinguished himself in singing competitions earlier in life, but in 1953 he eclipsed these honors by winning the
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McFerrin married Sara Copper, another aspiring singer, in 1949. The couple had two children, Robert Jr. (Bobby) and Brenda.
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McFerrin suffered a heart attack on
November 24, 2006, and died in St. Louis at the age of 85. He is buried at
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After McFerrin completed the eighth grade in Memphis, his father sent him to live with his aunt and uncle in
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in 1989 which affected his speech, he remained able to sing. In 1993 he appeared with his son and the
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with the New England Opera. Moving between opera and Broadway, in 1951 he performed in a revival of
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404:. He sang for three years at the Metropolitan Opera, seven times as Amonasro, once as Valentin in
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842:"AfriClassical: Flickr.com: Robert McFerrin Sr. Sang in William Grant Still's "Troubled Island""
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501:; Bobby conducted and McFerrin senior sang. He married his second wife, Athena Bush, in 1995.
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video of Robert McFerrin singing "Eri Tu" from the Verdi Opera Masked Ball on Youtube
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341:. He also returned to the National Negro Opera Company in 1952 to sing Valentin in
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In 1948 McFerrin moved to New York City and began receiving vocal coaching from
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213:. Following his freshman year the young baritone won a scholarship to attend
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1125:"Black Entertainment | Black News | Urban News | Hip Hop News"
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in New York City. His voice was described by critic Albert Goldberg in the
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473:, from 1973 to 1993, serving as chair of the music and voice departments.
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508:: in 1987 from Stowe Teacher's College, St. Louis, and in 1989 from the
374:, who was determined to formally integrate the Met's casting of singers.
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debut, singing the role of Popaloi, a voodoo doctor, in the premiere of
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McFerrin's debut role at the Met was Amonasro, the Ethiopian king, in
157:, McFerrin showed vocal talent at an early age, singing while still a
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192:. There, the young man's musical horizons widened. He joined the
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Excerpt of Robert McFerrin singing (only) 'Cortigiani' on Youtube
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646:"Robert McFerrin Sr.; Was First Black Man to Sing With the Met"
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Robert McFerrin singing (only) four spiritual songs on Youtube
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After their divorce, Sara McFerrin was a music professor at
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In 1950 the Metropolitan Opera came under the leadership of
962:"Marian Anderson at the Met: Marian at the Met: Background"
243:
career prospered. A 1949 appearance in a small role in the
1034:"Fullerton College Centennial Celebration - Staff Stories"
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Graduating from high school in 1940, McFerrin enrolled at
387:. He achieved the same distinction with his Rigoletto in
260:. Goldovsky presented the baritone in the title role of
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141:-winning vocalist Robert McFerrin Jr., better known as
1108:"California Conference 2008 annual conference program"
988:"This man made opera history. Why did I not know him?"
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116:(March 19, 1921 – November 24, 2006) was an American
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in Helsinki, and later he became a voice teacher at
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590:, LP soundtrack of the 1959 movie, Columbia OL 5410
442:as Porgy. Poitier was to act the role onscreen and
424:McFerrin went to California in 1958 to work on the
274:(later the Goldovsky Opera Theater) as Valentin in
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1087:"The Classical Bobby McFerrin - Los Angeles Times"
177:. Reverend McFerrin did not wish his son to sing
123:and the first African-American man to sing at the
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1171:"Opera singer who broke racial barriers honored"
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566:. The following is a list of known recordings.
1272:obituary showing McFerrin in the title role of
691:"AFROCENTRIC VOICES: Robert McFerrin Biography"
594:"Deep River" and Other Classic Negro Spirituals
434:. The casting plans for this production of the
1192:"St. Louis Walk of Fame – Robert McFerrin Sr"
290:. That year he also performed as Amonasro in
8:
1325:United States Army personnel of World War II
938:"MUSIC; 'Porgy' and Music's Racial Politics"
911:Louiserre, Harry; Donald Muldrow Griffith.
1340:20th-century African-American male singers
602:, a children's album recorded in the 1960s
29:
18:
270:in 1949 and cast him in his company, the
1345:20th-century American male opera singers
1148:. Archives of the University of Missouri
844:. Africlassical.blogspot.com. 2008-07-31
562:McFerrin was called "under-recorded" by
317:In 1950 McFerrin sang the title role in
1360:University of Missouri–St. Louis people
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773:: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
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818:"Opera: Goldovsky Company's Farewell"
798:. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
7:
964:. Metoperafamily.org. Archived from
525:Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
327:, and the following year he sang in
1350:African-American male opera singers
233:, the composer and choir director.
1007:Crowther, Bosley (June 25, 1959).
14:
1370:Classical musicians from Missouri
1213:"Guest Book - Robert McFerrin Sr"
1169:Wittenauer, Cheryl (2003-08-03).
721:"Robert McFerrin Sr. (1921–2006)"
578:(see below under External Links).
221:and received his degree in 1948.
986:Brathwaite, Peter (2021-05-12).
863:"Double Take Magazine - History"
816:Rothstein, Edward (1984-03-19).
510:University of Missouri-St. Louis
408:and twice in the title role of
1315:People from Marianna, Arkansas
1038:fullertoncollegecentennial.com
886:. Nycopera.com. Archived from
644:Bernstein, Adam (2006-11-29).
493:Although McFerrin sustained a
1:
1085:Pasles, Chris (2001-05-15).
936:Ellison, Cori (1998-12-13).
298:National Negro Opera Company
1355:American operatic baritones
1330:Roosevelt University alumni
917:A Dialogue of Civilizations
504:McFerrin was twice awarded
337:updated to 1861 and set in
256:, led to acquaintance with
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1264:Internet Broadway Database
884:"NYCO History - NYC Opera"
272:New England Opera Theater
268:Tanglewood Music Festival
114:Robert Keith McFerrin Sr.
28:
1057:"Who's Who in St. Louis"
796:Veterans Legacy Memorial
725:Encyclopedia of Arkansas
614:Classic Negro Spirituals
460:Sacramento State College
239:In New York, McFerrin's
1194:. Stlouiswalkoffame.org
1009:"Porgy and Bess (1959)"
331:, a version of Verdi's
215:Chicago Musical College
1365:Singers from St. Louis
1320:Fisk University alumni
1089:. Articles.latimes.com
792:"Robert K McFerrin Sr"
600:Let's Learn a New Song
518:St. Louis Walk of Fame
351:The Metropolitan Opera
219:technician fifth grade
47:Background information
35:McFerrin, photographed
1335:Singers from Arkansas
1023:(Registration access)
890:on September 27, 2008
471:Fullerton, California
361:"Auditions of the Air
57:Robert Keith McFerrin
16:American opera singer
1239:. Metoperafamily.org
576:Met Stars Sing Verdi
488:Sheldon Concert Hall
283:Iphigénie en Tauride
211:Nashville, Tennessee
161:in a local church's
865:. Doubletakemag.net
506:honorary doctorates
385:New York City Opera
306:William Grant Still
302:New York City Opera
188:so he could attend
88:St. Louis, Missouri
23:Robert McFerrin Sr.
1146:"Honorary Degrees"
499:St. Louis Symphony
357:Metropolitan Opera
339:Memphis, Tennessee
324:The Green Pastures
308:'s Haitian opera,
190:Sumner High School
155:Marianna, Arkansas
125:Metropolitan Opera
74:Marianna, Arkansas
913:"Robert McFerrin"
467:Fullerton College
365:Helen L. Phillips
253:Lost in the Stars
130:Los Angeles Times
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82:November 24, 2006
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225:Early career
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167:gospel songs
163:gospel choir
152:
139:Grammy Award
128:
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84:(2006-11-24)
1310:2006 deaths
1305:1921 births
545:grand opera
512:. In 2003
477:Later years
372:Rudolf Bing
159:boy soprano
149:Early years
1299:Categories
1243:2009-01-05
1219:2009-01-05
1198:2009-01-05
1177:2009-01-05
1152:2009-07-09
1131:2009-01-05
1093:2009-01-05
1071:2009-02-03
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972:2009-01-05
947:2009-01-05
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894:2009-01-05
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827:2009-01-05
802:2024-06-03
760:2008-09-11
730:2009-01-05
697:2009-01-05
655:2009-01-05
564:Opera News
558:Recordings
531:Role model
420:California
245:Kurt Weill
175:spirituals
101:Occupation
68:1921-03-19
53:Birth name
1274:Rigoletto
572:Rigoletto
550:His son,
444:lip-synch
410:Rigoletto
393:San Carlo
319:Rigoletto
296:with the
263:Rigoletto
186:St. Louis
96:Classical
769:cite web
153:Born in
135:baritone
121:baritone
118:operatic
1262:at the
428:movie,
391:at the
280:and in
266:at the
241:singing
41:, 1955.
495:stroke
389:Naples
133:as "a
104:Singer
93:Genres
1111:(PDF)
621:Notes
537:tenor
469:, in
406:Faust
344:Faust
288:Gluck
277:Faust
194:choir
171:hymns
775:link
582:Aida
401:Aida
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173:and
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62:Born
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