McHenry Boatwright facts for kids

John McHenry Boatwright (born February 29, 1928 – died November 5, 1994) was an amazing American singer. He was known for his deep bass-baritone voice in opera. He also taught singing to many students.

Early Life and Learning

John McHenry Boatwright was born in Tennille, Georgia, in 1928. He loved music from a young age. He studied both piano and singing at the New England Conservatory. He finished his studies there in 1954.

A Career in Music

McHenry Boatwright started his singing career in 1953 at Tanglewood. This is a famous music festival. He soon sang with the New England Opera Theater in Boston. A very famous conductor, Leonard Bernstein, heard him sing. Bernstein was so impressed that he invited Boatwright to perform with the New York Philharmonic. This was a huge honor!

In 1956, McHenry Boatwright got to play the main character in an opera called Ouanga. This opera was put on by the National Negro Opera Company at the Metropolitan Opera House. He also appeared in a show called "Lost In The Stars" in 1958. Later, in 1967, he sang the main role in another opera, The Visitation, in Germany. In 1969, he performed with the famous jazz musician Dave Brubeck in a special concert called The Gates of Justice.

Famous Recordings

McHenry Boatwright recorded many important musical pieces. Here are some of his well-known recordings:

• He sang in Hector Berlioz's La damnation de Faust in 1954. He performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
• He released his own album called The Art of McHenry Boatwright - Spirituals. This album showed off his beautiful voice.
• He played the role of Crown in a 1963 recording of highlights from George Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess. This recording even won a Grammy Award! He sang with other famous singers like Leontyne Price.
• He played Crown again in 1976 for the first full stereo recording of Porgy and Bess. He sang with the Cleveland Orchestra.

Teaching and Awards

For many years, McHenry Boatwright was a voice teacher at Ohio State University. He got this job thanks to a letter from the legendary singer Marian Anderson. When he retired, he was a Professor Emeritus in the university's School of Music. He also received two special Marian Anderson Awards for his achievements.

McHenry Boatwright was so respected that he sang for several Presidents at the White House. This included singing at Jimmy Carter's inauguration in 1977.

Personal Life

In 1980, McHenry Boatwright married Ruth Ellington. She was the sister and business manager of the famous jazz musician Duke Ellington. They had met when McHenry Boatwright sang at Duke Ellington's funeral in 1974. He later helped produce the Duke Ellington Sacred Concerts in New York and London in 1982.

Later Years and Passing

McHenry Boatwright passed away from cancer on November 5, 1994. He is buried in the Ellington family plot at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York.