McFerrin, Robert, Sr.

McFerrin, Robert, Sr.
▪ 2007

      American opera singer (b. March 19, 1921, Marianna, Ark.—d. Nov. 24, 2006, St. Louis, Mo.), became the first black male to solo at the Metropolitan Opera when he made his 1955 debut as Amonasro in Aida. His performance came just three weeks after contralto Marian Anderson made her bow as the first black to perform a principal role at the Met. McFerrin, whose Baptist minister father did not allow him to sing anything but gospel music, was encouraged by a teacher in St. Louis to pursue his talent. The baritone performed in 10 operas in three seasons at the Met and provided the vocals for Sidney Poitier in the film Porgy and Bess (1959). McFerrin was the father of Grammy Award-winning conductor-vocalist Bobby McFerrin, Jr., with whom he performed, even after suffering a severe stroke in 1989.

* * *

▪ American opera singer
born March 19, 1921, Marianna, Ark., U.S.
died Nov. 24, 2006, St. Louis, Mo.

      American opera singer who became the first African American male to solo at the Metropolitan Opera (Metropolitan Opera Association) (Met) when he made his 1955 debut as Amonasro in Giuseppe Verdi's Aida. His performance came just three weeks after contralto Marian Anderson (Anderson, Marian) became the first African American to perform a principal role at the Met.

      McFerrin, whose Baptist minister father did not allow him to sing anything but gospel music, was encouraged by a teacher in St. Louis to develop his baritone voice and pursue his talent. He performed in 10 operas in three seasons at the Met and provided the vocals for Sidney Poitier (Poitier, Sidney) in the film Porgy and Bess (1959). He was also a notable influence on his son, the Grammy Award-winning conductor-vocalist Bobby McFerrin, Jr., with whom he sometimes performed. Although he suffered a severe stroke in 1989, McFerrin, Sr., continued to perform, appearing in concert with his son and the St. Louis Symphony in 1993.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Robert McFerrin — Sr. (March 19, 1921 – November 24, 2006) was the first African American male to sing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. His voice was described by critic Albert Goldberg in the Los Angeles Times as a baritone of beautiful quality, even… …   Wikipedia

  • McFerrin — may refer to: Bobby McFerrin (born 1950), American jazz and pop singer Robert McFerrin (1921 2006), American opera singer This page or section lists people with the surname McFerrin. If an internal lin …   Wikipedia

  • Robert Weede — (né Wiedefeld, in Baltimore, Maryland, on February 22, 1903; died in Walnut Creek, California, on July 9, 1972) was one of the most esteemed of American operatic baritones. He studied at the Eastman School and in Milan, and made his Metropolitan… …   Wikipedia

  • McFerrin — Bobby McFerrin in concert (2007) Bobby McFerrin (* 11. März 1950 in New York City) ist ein US amerikanischer Musiker und Vokalkünstler, der auf seinen Alben die meisten Instrumente mit seiner Stimme simuliert. Inhaltsverzeichnis …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Mcferrin — Bobby McFerrin Bobby McFerrin Naissance 11 mars 1950 Pays  …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Bobby McFerrin — Infobox musical artist Name = Bobby McFerrin Img capt = Bobby McFerrin in concert (2007) Img size = Landscape = Background = solo singer Birth name = Robert McFerrin, Jr. Alias = Born = Birth date and age|1950|3|11|f=y Died = Origin = New York… …   Wikipedia

  • Bobby McFerrin — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Bobby McFerrin Bobby McFerrin en un concierto en el 2007. Información personal …   Wikipedia Español

  • Bobby McFerrin — en concert à Budapest, 2007 Naissance …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Bobby McFerrin — Bobby McFerrin, North Sea Jazz Festival 2008 Bobby McFerrin (* 11. März 1950 in New York City, New York) ist ein US amerikanischer Musiker, Dirigent und Vokalkünstler, der eine außerordentlich flexible Stimme hat, die er auch benutzt, um… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Bobby mcferrin — Naissance 11 mars 1950 Pays  …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”