Reverend Robert McFerrin did not wish his son to sing secular music, but in the end this wish was undone by his desire to give him the best possible education.
21 Facts About Robert McFerrin
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Robert McFerrin joined the choir and impressed the director, Wirt Walton, sufficiently that he began teaching McFerrin privately.
3.
In 1948 Robert McFerrin moved to New York City and began receiving vocal coaching from Hall Johnson, the composer and choir director.
4.
In 1950 Robert McFerrin sang the title role in Rigoletto with the New England Opera.
5.
Robert McFerrin returned to the National Negro Opera Company in 1952 to sing Valentin in Faust.
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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.
7.
Robert McFerrin received 13 months training but did not receive a contract.
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Hall Johnson 8.
Robert McFerrin followed with his Met debut in the same month, on January 27,1955.
9.
Rarely stated in the great publicity surrounding Marian Anderson's accomplishment is the fact that Robert McFerrin was already engaged to make his debut when Anderson received her contract.
10.
Robert McFerrin achieved the same distinction with his Rigoletto in Naples at the San Carlo Opera in 1956.
11.
Robert McFerrin sang for three years at the Metropolitan Opera, seven times as Amonasro, once as Valentin in Faust and twice in the title role of Rigoletto.
12.
Concerned with the uncertainty of his future in New York, Robert McFerrin resigned his position at the Met in favor of his chances in Hollywood.
13.
In 1959 Robert McFerrin was engaged to teach singing lessons at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, and later he became a voice teacher at Sacramento State College.
14.
Robert McFerrin credited his ex-wife with helping to support the family while he was beginning his career.
15.
Robert McFerrin played as his piano accompanist and helped him learn new music at the keyboard.
16.
In 1973 Robert McFerrin returned to St Louis, the city where he had attended high school; it remained his primary residence for the rest of his life.
17.
Robert McFerrin accepted an appointment as Artist-in-Residence at the St Louis Institute of Music Conservatory, both performing and teaching.
18.
Robert McFerrin married his second wife, Athena Bush, in 1995.
19.
Robert McFerrin was twice awarded honorary doctorates: in 1987 from Stowe Teacher's College, St Louis, and in 1989 from the University of Missouri-St Louis.
20.
Robert McFerrin is commemorated by a brass star and bronze plaque embedded in the St Louis Walk of Fame.
21.
Robert McFerrin suffered a heart attack on November 24,2006, and died in St Louis at the age of 85.