Robert McFerrin Sr. | |
|---|---|
 McFerrin, photographed byCarl Van Vechten, 1955. | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Robert Keith McFerrin (1921-03-19)March 19, 1921 Marianna, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Died | November 24, 2006(2006-11-24) (aged 85) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Genres | Classical |
| Occupation | Singer |
Robert Keith McFerrin Sr. (March 19, 1921 – November 24, 2006) was an Americanoperaticbaritone, notable for being the firstAfrican-American man to sing at theMetropolitan Opera in New York City. His voice was described by critic Albert Goldberg in theLos 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."[1]
McFerrin was the father ofGrammy Award-winning vocalistBobby McFerrin.
Born inMarianna, Arkansas,[1] McFerrin showed vocal talent at an early age, singing while still aboy soprano in a local church'sgospel choir. As a young teenager he joined two of his siblings in a trio. The three accompanied their father on regional preaching engagements, singinggospel songs,hymns andspirituals. Reverend McFerrin did not wish his son to singsecular music, but in the end this wish was undone by his desire to give him the best possible education.
After McFerrin completed the eighth grade in Memphis, his father sent him to live with his aunt and uncle inSt. Louis so he could attendSumner High School.[2] There, the young man's musical horizons widened. He joined thechoir and impressed the director, Wirt Walton, sufficiently that he began teaching McFerrin privately.[3] Walton also arranged for McFerrin's first vocal recital to help him earn funds for his college enrollment.[2]
Graduating from high school in 1940, McFerrin enrolled atFisk University inNashville, Tennessee. Following his freshman year the young baritone won a scholarship to attendChicago 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 from the U.S. Army as atechnician fifth grade and received his degree in 1948.[4][5]
In 1948 McFerrin moved to New York City and began receiving vocal coaching fromHall Johnson, the composer and choir director.
McFerrin married Sara Copper, another aspiring singer, in 1949. The couple had two children, Robert Jr. (Bobby) and Brenda.
In New York, McFerrin'ssinging career prospered. A 1949 appearance in a small role in theKurt WeillBroadway musical,Lost in the Stars, led to acquaintance withBoris Goldovsky.[3] Goldovsky presented the baritone in the title role ofRigoletto at theTanglewood Music Festival in 1949 and cast him in his company, theNew England Opera Theater (later the Goldovsky Opera Theater)[6] as Valentin inFaust and inIphigénie en Tauride byGluck. That year he also performed as Amonasro inAida with theNational Negro Opera Company[7] and made hisNew York City Opera debut, singing the role of Popaloi,[8] a voodoo doctor,[4] in the premiere ofWilliam Grant Still's Haitian opera,Troubled Island.[9]
In 1950 McFerrin sang the title role inRigoletto with the New England Opera.[10] Moving between opera and Broadway, in 1951 he performed in a revival ofThe Green Pastures, and the following year he sang inMy Darlin' Aida, a version of Verdi'sAida updated to 1861 and set inMemphis, Tennessee.[3] He also returned to the National Negro Opera Company in 1952 to sing Valentin inFaust.[4]
McFerrin had distinguished himself in singing competitions earlier in life, but in 1953 he eclipsed these honors by winning theMetropolitan Opera's"Auditions of the Air", the first African-American to do so.[2] 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.[3]Helen L. Phillips, 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.
In 1950 the Metropolitan Opera came under the leadership ofRudolf Bing, who was determined to formally integrate the Met's casting of singers.[1]Marian Anderson 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 surroundingMarian Anderson's accomplishment is the fact that McFerrin was already engaged to make his debut when Anderson received her contract.[11] With his Rigoletto in 1956 McFerrin became the first African-American in history to sing a title role at the Met.[12][13] In addition, McFerrin was the first African-American to sing at both the Metropolitan Opera andNew York City Opera.[citation needed] He achieved the same distinction with his Rigoletto inNaples at theSan Carlo Opera in 1956.[2]
McFerrin's debut role at the Met was Amonasro, the Ethiopian king, inAida. He sang for three years at the Metropolitan Opera, seven times as Amonasro, once as Valentin inFaust and twice in the title role ofRigoletto.
Concerned with the uncertainty of his future in New York, McFerrin resigned his position at the Met in favor of his chances in Hollywood.[1] After 1958 McFerrin appeared no more at the Metropolitan Opera.
McFerrin went to California in 1958 to work on theOtto Preminger moviePorgy and Bess.[2] The casting plans for this production of theGeorge Gershwin opera slatedSidney Poitier as Porgy. Poitier was to act the role onscreen andlip-synch 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.[2] When the movie was released in 1959, theNew York Times stated that, like Poitier's acting, McFerrin's singing was "as sensitive and strong as one could wish."[14] The soundtrack was released as an LP.
McFerrin and his wife set up a vocal studio in Los Angeles and began teaching.[2] In 1959 McFerrin was engaged to teach singing lessons at theSibelius Academy in Helsinki,[10] and later he became a voice teacher atSacramento State College. 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.[2] After 15 years in California, McFerrin moved to St. Louis, Missouri.[3]
After their divorce, Sara McFerrin was a music professor atFullerton College, inFullerton, California, from 1973 to 1993, serving as chair of the music and voice departments.[15]
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,[16] both performing and teaching.
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."[17] Both Bobby and Brenda became professional singers, though they chose not to 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,[18] Brenda pursued a career as a Motown recording artist.[16] The three sang in 1987 at a benefit concert for the McFerrin Endowment for Minority Artist at theSheldon Concert Hall.[16]
Although McFerrin sustained astroke in 1989 which affected his speech, he remained able to sing. In 1993 he appeared with his son and theSt. Louis Symphony; Bobby conducted and McFerrin senior sang.[1] He married his second wife, Athena Bush, in 1995.[19]
McFerrin was twice awardedhonorary doctorates: in 1987 from Stowe Teacher's College, St. Louis,[2] and in 1989 from theUniversity of Missouri-St. Louis.[20] In 2003Opera America, in conjunction with the Association of U.S. and International Professional Opera Companies and Opera Volunteers International, honored McFerrin with a Lifetime Achievement Award.[21] He is commemorated by a brass star and bronze plaque embedded in theSt. Louis Walk of Fame.[22]
McFerrin suffered a heart attack on November 24, 2006, and died in St. Louis at the age of 85. He is buried atJefferson Barracks National Cemetery.[5]
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-Americantenor,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 ofgrand opera. In spite of the personal hardships he endured, his magnificent voice retained its amazing power and beauty well into his 8th decade..."[23]
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."[21]
McFerrin was called "under-recorded" byOpera News.[24] The following is a list of known recordings.
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