Todd Duncan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Todd Duncan
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Todd Duncan, 1954
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Robert Todd Duncan |
| Born | February 12, 1903 Danville, Kentucky, United States |
| Died | February 28, 1998 (aged 95) Washington, D.C., United States |
| Genres | opera |
| Occupation(s) | opera singer, actor, professor |
| Years active | 1933–1983 |
Robert Todd Duncan (born February 12, 1903 – died February 28, 1998) was an amazing American baritone opera singer and actor. He was one of the first African Americans to sing with a big opera company. Todd Duncan is also famous for playing the main character, Porgy, in the very first show of Porgy and Bess in 1935.
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Early Life of Todd Duncan
Todd Duncan was born on February 12, 1903, in Danville, Kentucky. His parents were John and Lettie Duncan. His dad, John, owned a garage, and his mom, Lettie, was a music teacher. Todd loved music and studied it at Butler University in Indianapolis. He earned a bachelor's degree in music there. Later, he got a master's degree from Columbia University Teachers College.
Todd Duncan's Singing Career
In 1934, Todd Duncan performed in his first opera, Cavalleria rusticana. This show was put on by the Aeolian Opera, a Black opera company in New York.
Porgy and Bess and Fighting for Fairness
Todd Duncan was personally chosen by the famous composer George Gershwin. Gershwin wanted him to be the very first person to play Porgy in the opera Porgy and Bess. Todd Duncan performed this role more than 1,800 times!
When Porgy and Bess came to Washington, D.C., in 1936, the theater had a rule. It separated people by race, meaning Black people couldn't buy tickets for certain seats. Todd Duncan bravely said he would not perform if the theater kept this rule. He believed everyone should be able to sit wherever they wanted. Because of his protest, the theater changed its policy. This made it the first time the National Theatre had a show where people of all races could sit together.
Todd Duncan was also the first to play Stephen Kumalo in another important musical, Lost in the Stars.
Performing and Teaching
In 1938, Todd Duncan went to London, England, to perform. He was in a musical called The Sun Never Sets at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He sang a song called 'River God' in the show. After the London performances, he toured around Britain with the musical.
From 1930 to 1945, Todd Duncan taught singing at Howard University in Washington, D.C. While teaching, he also traveled a lot as a solo singer. He performed over 2,000 times in 56 different countries! He also appeared in two movies. After leaving Howard University, he opened his own studio to teach singing privately.
Breaking Barriers in Opera
In 1945, Todd Duncan made history. He became the first African American to sing with a major opera company. He was also the first Black person to sing in an opera with a cast that was otherwise all white. He played the role of Tonio in Pagliacci with the New York City Opera. In the same year, he sang the part of Escamillo, the bullfighter, in Carmen.
In 1954, Todd Duncan was the first person to record the famous song "Unchained Melody". He sang it for the movie Unchained, where he also had a small role. After his version, "Unchained Melody" became one of the most recorded songs ever.
Todd Duncan deeply loved spirituals, which are a type of religious folk song. He once said that spirituals were "so deep inside of me." He felt that when he sang them, his whole being sang, not just his voice.
Besides singing, Todd Duncan was also a great voice teacher. One of his students, Philip Booth, became a well-known opera singer at the Metropolitan Opera.
Honors and Later Life
Todd Duncan received many awards for his amazing career. In 1978, a special celebration was held for his 75th birthday. In 1984, he was given the George Peabody Medal of Music. He also received a medal from Haiti, an award from the NAACP, and the Donaldson Award. He won the New York Drama Critics' Award for his role in Lost in the Stars. He also received special honorary degrees from Valparaiso University and Butler University.
Todd Duncan was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
He passed away from a heart problem at his home in Washington, D.C., on February 28, 1998. He was survived by his wife, Gladys Jackson Duncan, and his adopted son, Charles, who became a successful lawyer.
See also
