Robert McFerrin facts for kids

Robert Keith McFerrin Sr. (born March 19, 1921 – died November 24, 2006) was an amazing American opera singer. He was a baritone, which means he had a deep singing voice. Robert McFerrin Sr. made history as the first African-American man to sing at the famous Metropolitan Opera in New York City. People said his voice was beautiful and strong. He was also the father of the well-known singer Bobby McFerrin, who has won many Grammy Awards.

Robert McFerrin Sr.'s Early Life

Robert McFerrin Sr. was born in Marianna, Arkansas. He showed a talent for singing from a very young age. As a boy, he sang in his local church's gospel choir. When he was a teenager, he sang with his two siblings in a trio. They often sang gospel songs, hymns, and spirituals with their father, who was a preacher.

His father wanted him to sing only religious music. However, he also wanted Robert to get the best education. So, after eighth grade, Robert moved to St. Louis to live with his aunt and uncle. This allowed him to attend Sumner High School.

Discovering More Music in High School

At Sumner High School, Robert's musical world grew much bigger. He joined the school's choir. The choir director, Wirt Walton, was very impressed with Robert's voice. Mr. Walton began teaching Robert singing lessons privately. He even helped Robert put on his first public singing show. This show helped Robert earn money for college.

College and Early Career

After finishing high school in 1940, Robert McFerrin went to Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. After his first year, he won a scholarship to attend Chicago Musical College. He moved there to continue his studies. His schooling was paused during World War II because he joined the military. But he returned to Chicago Musical College after the war and earned his degree in 1948.

Starting His Singing Career

In 1948, McFerrin moved to New York City. He started taking vocal lessons from Hall Johnson, a famous composer and choir director. In 1949, Robert married Sara Copper, who was also a singer. They had two children, Robert Jr. (Bobby) and Brenda.

Robert's singing career really took off in New York. He got a small part in a Broadway musical called Lost in the Stars in 1949. This led him to meet Boris Goldovsky, an important opera director. Goldovsky gave Robert the main role in the opera Rigoletto at the Tanglewood Music Festival. He also cast Robert in other operas like Faust. That same year, Robert sang in Aida with the National Negro Opera Company. He also made his first appearance at the New York City Opera.

In 1950, he sang the main role in Rigoletto again with the New England Opera. He continued to perform in both opera and Broadway shows.

Making History at the Metropolitan Opera

McFerrin, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1955.

Robert McFerrin had won many singing awards before, but in 1953, he achieved something even bigger. He won the Metropolitan Opera's "Auditions of the Air" competition. He was the first African-American man to win this award. Usually, winners received training and a contract to sing at the Met. Robert got 13 months of training.

In 1950, Rudolf Bing became the head of the Metropolitan Opera. He was determined to have singers of all races perform there. Marian Anderson made history as the first African-American lead singer at the Met. Robert McFerrin followed her, making his debut on January 27, 1955. This made him the first black man to sing at the Metropolitan Opera.

In 1956, Robert McFerrin became the first African-American to sing a main role at the Met when he performed in Rigoletto. He also became the first African-American to sing at both the Metropolitan Opera and the New York City Opera. He achieved this same honor in Naples, Italy, at the San Carlo Opera.

Robert McFerrin's Roles at the Met

Robert McFerrin's first role at the Met was Amonasro, the Ethiopian king, in the opera Aida. He sang at the Metropolitan Opera for three years. During that time, he performed as Amonasro seven times. He also sang as Valentin in Faust once and in the main role of Rigoletto twice.

Robert decided to leave the Met in 1958. He wanted to try his luck in Hollywood, hoping for more opportunities.

Life in California

In 1958, Robert McFerrin moved to California to work on the movie Porgy and Bess. This movie was based on the opera by George Gershwin. The actor Sidney Poitier played the character Porgy. However, Robert McFerrin was hired to do all of Porgy's singing. Sidney Poitier would act the role and pretend to sing along.

The McFerrin family settled in Hollywood. When the movie came out in 1959, the New York Times newspaper praised Robert's singing. They said it was "as sensitive and strong as one could wish." The movie's soundtrack was also released as a record.

Robert and his wife opened a singing studio in Los Angeles and began teaching. In 1959, Robert was asked to teach singing lessons at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland. Later, he became a voice teacher at Sacramento State College. While living in California, Robert and Sara divorced. Robert always said his ex-wife helped support their family when he was starting his career. She also played the piano for him and helped him learn new music. After 15 years in California, Robert McFerrin moved back to St. Louis, Missouri.

After their divorce, Sara McFerrin became a music professor at Fullerton College in California. She taught there from 1973 to 1993 and even led the music and voice departments.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1973, Robert McFerrin returned to St. Louis, the city where he went to high school. He lived there for the rest of his life. He became an Artist-in-Residence at the St. Louis Institute of Music Conservatory. This meant he both performed and taught music there.

During these years, he often sang in public with his children. His son, Bobby, and daughter, Brenda, grew up in a home filled with music. Both Bobby and Brenda became professional singers. Bobby became a famous non-classical singer, conductor, and composer, winning many Grammy Awards. Brenda became a Motown recording artist. In 1987, the three of them sang together at a benefit concert.

In 1989, Robert McFerrin had a stroke that affected his speech. However, he was still able to sing. In 1993, he performed with his son and the St. Louis Symphony. Bobby conducted the orchestra, and Robert Sr. sang. In 1995, he married his second wife, Athena Bush.

Robert McFerrin received two special awards called honorary doctorates. He got one in 1987 from Stowe Teacher's College and another in 1989 from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. In 2003, a group called Opera America gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also honored with a brass star and a bronze plaque on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.

Robert McFerrin passed away from a heart attack on November 24, 2006, in St. Louis. He was 85 years old. He is buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

A Role Model for Singers

Robert McFerrin's achievements as a black man in classical singing inspired many singers of color who came after him. Especially male singers. When McFerrin passed away, the African-American tenor, George Shirley, wrote about him. He said McFerrin was a "courageous pioneer" who inspired him and many other black men to become opera performers.

His son, Bobby McFerrin, has often spoken about his father's influence. Bobby said, "His work influenced everything I do musically. His musical influence was absolutely profound. I cannot do anything without me hearing his voice."

Recordings

Robert McFerrin was known as being "under-recorded" by Opera News. Here are some of his known recordings:

• Excerpts from Rigoletto, for the Metropolitan Opera Club (1956). His singing of "Cortigiani" was later released in 2001.
• Aida, a live recording with the Teatro San Carlo (1956).
• Porgy and Bess, the LP soundtrack from the 1959 movie.
• "Deep River" and Other Classic Negro Spirituals, released in June 1957.
• Let's Learn a New Song, a children's album recorded in the 1960s.
• Medicine Music, an album by Bobby McFerrin released in 1990. Robert McFerrin Sr. sings the song "Discipline" with his son on this CD.