Robert McFerrin

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 in all registers, and with a top that partakes of something of a tenor's ringing brilliance." [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/28/AR2006112801534.html]

Early years

Robert Keith McFerrin was born in Marianna, Arkansas, the son of an itinerant Baptist minister, Melvin McFerrin, and Mary McKinley McFerrin. When Robert was two, the family moved to Memphis, TN.

Robert showed vocal talent at a early age, singing while still a boy soprano in a local church's gospel choir. As a young teenager he joined two of his siblings in a trio. The three accompanied their father on regional preaching engagements, singing gospel songs, hymns and spirituals. Reverend McFerrin did not wish Robert to sing non-gospel music, but in the end this wish was undone by his desire to give his son the best possible education. After Robert completed eight grades in Memphis, his father sent him to live with his aunt and uncle in St. Louis in order for him to attend Sumner High School. [http://www.afrovoices.com/mcferrin.html] There, the young man's musical horizons widened. He joined the choir and impressed the director, Wirt Walton, sufficiently that he began teaching Robert privately. [http://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=3266] Walton also arranged for Robert's first vocal recital to help him earn funds for his college enrollment. [http://www.afrovoices.com/mcferrin.html]

Further studies

Graduating from high school in 1940, Robert enrolled at Fisk University in Nashville, TN. Following his freshman year the young baritone won a scholarship to attend Chicago Musical College and transferred to that institution. World War II and the Draft interrupted McFerrin's schooling, but he returned to Chicago Musical College after discharge and received his degree in 1948. [http://www.arblackhalloffame.org/Honorees/Page.asp?id=43]

Early career

That same year Robert moved to New York City and began coaching voice with Hall Johnson, the composer and choir director.

Robert married Sara Copper, another aspiring singer, in 1949. The couple had two children, Robert Jr. (Bobby) and Brenda.

In New York, Robert McFerrin's singing career prospered. A 1949 appearance in a small role in the Kurt Weill Broadway musical, "Lost in the Stars", led to acquaintance with Boris Goldovsky. [http://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=3266] Goldovsky presented the baritone in the title role of "Rigoletto" at the Tanglewood Music Festival in 1949 and cast him in his company, the New England Opera (later the Goldovsky Opera Theater [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9807E7DC1039F93AA25750C0A962948260] )as Valentin in "Faust" and in "Iphigenie en Tauride" by Gluck. That year he also performed as Amonasro in "Aida" with the National Negro Opera Company [http://africlassical.blogspot.com/2008/07/flickrcom-robert-mcferrin-sr-sang-in.html] and made his New York City Opera debut, singing the role of Popaloi [http://www.doubletakemag.net/history/mcferrinsr.html] , a voodoo doctor [http://www.arblackhalloffame.org/Honorees/Page.asp?id=43] , in the premiere of William Grant Still's Haitian opera, "Troubled Island". [http://www.nycopera.com/about/history/]

In 1950 McFerrin sang the title role in "Rigoletto" with the New England Opera. [http://members.aol.com/gayledo/cib2001.html] Moving between opera and Broadway, in 1951 he performed in a revival of "Green Pastures", and the following year he sang in "My Darlin' Aida", a version of Verdi's "Aida" updated to 1861 and set in Memphis. [http://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=3266] He also returned to the National Negro Opera in 1952 to sing Valentin in "Faust". [http://www.arblackhalloffame.org/Honorees/Page.asp?id=43]

The Metropolitan Opera

Robert McFerrin had distinguished himself in singing competitions earlier in life, but in 1953 he eclipsed these honors by winning the Metropolitan Opera's "Auditions of the Air," the first African-American to do so. [http://www.afrovoices.com/mcferrin.html] 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. [http://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=3266] No black person had ever sung on the stage of the Met.

In 1950 the Metropolitan Opera came under the leadership of Sir Rudolf Bing, who was determined to integrate the Met's casting of singers. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/28/AR2006112801534.html] Marian Anderson made history during Bing's tenure as the first African-American to sing on the Met stage. Robert McFerrin followed with his Met debut in the same month, January 1955. Thus, Robert McFerrin became the first black man to sing at the Metropolitan Opera. Rarely stated in the great publicity surrounding Marian Anderson's accomplishment is the fact that McFerrin was already engaged to make his debut when Anderson received her contract. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F03E5DC153AF930A25751C1A96E958260] With his Rigoletto in 1956 McFerrin became the first African-American in history to sing a title role at the Met. [http://www.metoperafamily.org/_post/education/marian-anderson/html/at_the_met_back.htm] In addition, McFerrin was the first black man to sing at both the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera. [http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_was_the_first_black_to_sing_with_the_Metropolitan_Opera_Company_in_New_York_City] He achieved the same distinction with his Rigoletto in Naples at the San Carlo Opera in 1956. [http://www.afrovoices.com/mcferrin.html] Robert McFerrin's debut role at the Met was Amonasro, the Ethiopian king, in "Aida". He sang for three years at the Metropolitan Opera, seven times as Amonasro, once as Valentin in "Faust" and twice in the title role of the jester in "Rigoletto". While Amonasro is black skinned, neither Valentin nor Rigoletto are.

Concerned with the uncertainty of his future in New York, McFerrin resigned his position at the Met in favor of his chances in Hollywood. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/28/AR2006112801534.html] After 1958 Robert McFerrin appeared no more at the Metropolitan Opera.

California

Robert McFerrin went to California in 1958 to work on the Otto Preminger movie, "Porgy and Bess". [http://www.afrovoices.com/mcferrin.html] The casting plans for this production of the George Gershwin opera slated Sidney Poitier as Porgy. Poitier was to act the role onscreen and "lip-sych" the musical numbers. Robert McFerrin was engaged to provide the vocals. The McFerrins settled in Hollywood that year so that Robert could begin working with Sidney Poitier. [http://www.afrovoices.com/mcferrin.html] When the movie was released in 1959, the New York Times stated that, like Poitier's acting, McFerrin's singing was "as sensitive and strong as one could wish." [http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9A07E1DD173BEF3BBC4D51DFB0668382649EDE] The soundtrack was released as an LP.

Robert and Sara set up a vocal studio in Los Angeles and began teaching. [http://www.afrovoices.com/mcferrin.html] In 1959 Robert was engaged to teach singing lessons at the Sibelius Acedemy in Helskinki [http://members.aol.com/gayledo/cib2001.html] , and later he became a voice teacher at Sacramento State College. While they were living in California Robert and Sara's marriage ended in divorce. Robert 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. [http://www.afrovoices.com/mcferrin.html] After 15 years in California, Robert McFerrin moved to St. Louis, MO. [http://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=3266]

Later years

In 1973 Robert McFerrin returned to the city where he had attended high school. St. Louis would remain the baritone's primary residence for the rest of his life. McFerrin accepted an appointment as Artist-in-Residence at the St. Louis Institute of Music Conservatory [http://www.blacktie-stlouis.com/whoswho/whoswhoProfile.cfm?id=71&categoryid=5] , both performing and passing on to students the lessons of a full career.

During these years he sang in public with his children. Both Bobby and Brenda had followed their parents into the music field. Given classical training [http://www.schillerinstitute.org/programs/prog_conserv_5_27_94.html#artists] , they had followed their own paths. Bobby became a non-classical singer, conductor, composer and Grammy Award winner. Calling herself a consumer vocalist [www.namicalifornia.org/webbdata/HOMEPAGE-DTD-2008-02/NAMI California Conference 2008/nami california annual conference program 2008_eng.pdf] , Brenda pursued a career as a Motown recording artist. [http://www.blacktie-stlouis.com/whoswho/whoswhoProfile.cfm?id=71&categoryid=5] The three sang in 1987 at a benefit concert for the McFerrin Endowment for Minority Artist at the Sheldon Concert Hall. [http://www.blacktie-stlouis.com/whoswho/whoswhoProfile.cfm?id=71&categoryid=5]

Although Robert McFerrin sustained a stroke in 1989 which affected his speech, he remained able to sing. In 1994 he appeared with his son and the St. Louis Symphony; Bobby conducted and Robert sang. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/28/AR2006112801534.html] He married his second wife, Athena Bush, in 1995. [http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur30056.cfm]

Robert McFerrin received honors during his lifetime. He was twice awarded honorary doctorates, in 1987 from Stowe Teacher's College, St. Louis, and in 1989 from the University of Missouri. [http://www.afrovoices.com/mcferrin.html] In 2003 Opera America, in conjunction with the Association of U.S. and International Professional Opera Companies and Opera Volunteers International, honored Robert McFerrin with a Lifetime Achievement Award. [http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2003/aug/03/opera_singer_who/] He is commemorated by a brass star and bronze placque embedded in the St. Louis Walk of Fame. [http://stlouiswalkoffame.org/inductees/robert-mcferrin-sr.html]

Robert Keith McFerrin Sr., the first black man to sing at the Metropolitan Opera, suffered a heart attack on November 24, 2006 and died at the age of 85. He is buried in St. Louis, MO at the Jefferson Barrack National Cemetery.

Role model

Robert McFerrin Senior'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 distinguished African-American tenor, George Shirley, 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 grand opera. In spite of the personal hardships he endured, his magnificent voice retained its amazing power and beauty well into his 8th decade..." [http://www.legacy.com/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=20078229&EntryId=12941018]

His son, Bobby McFerrin, 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." [http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2003/aug/03/opera_singer_who/]

Recordings

Robert McFerrin was called "under-recorded" by"Opera News". [http://www.metoperafamily.org/operanews/_archive/301/recordings.301.html] The following is a list of known recordings.

* Excerpts from "Rigoletto", for the Metropolitan Opera Club (1956). [http://www.afrovoices.com/mcferrin.html] His "Cortigiani" with Fausto Cleva conducting, called "consummate", [http://www.metoperafamily.org/operanews/_archive/301/recordings.301.html] was also later released in 2001 by the Metropolitan Opera Guild on a collection called "Met Stars Sing Verdi" (see below under External Links).

* "Aida", live recording, with the Teatro San Carlo (1956). This recording, conducted by Vincenzo Bellezza, was originally identified, "The Golden Age of Opera GAO 130".

* "Porgy and Bess", LP soundtrack of the 1959 movie, Columbia OL 5410

* "Deep River" and Other Classic Negro Spirituals", (1959) [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/28/AR2006112801534.html]

* "Let's Learn a New Song", a children's album recorded in the 1960s [http://www.afrovoices.com/mcferrin.html]

* "Medicine Music", EMI Records (USA), UPC: 077779204823, released July 23, 1996. This CD is a Bobby McFerrin release in which he sings the song "Discipline" with his father, Robert McFerrin Sr.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/28/obituaries/28mcferrin.html New York Times obituary showing Robert McFerrin in the title role of "Rigoletto"]
* [http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/history/sounds/ Hear Robert McFerrin sing "Cortigiani" from "Rigoletto". Link connects to URL, then click no. 105.]