Robert Keith McFerrin, Sr. (March 19, 1921 – November 24, 2006) was an American operatic baritone and the first African-American man to sing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. His voice was described by critic Albert Goldberg in the Los 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." He was the father of Grammy Award-winning vocalist Robert McFerrin, Jr., better known as Bobby McFerrin.
Appeared at the Metropolitan Opera just three weeks after Marian Anderson's historic Met appearance.
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Provided the vocals for Sidney Poitier in "Porgy and Bess" (1959).
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First black male to perform at the Metropolitan Opera.
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He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in the role of Amonasro in Giuseppe Verdi's "Aida".
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He was the first black singer to become a regular member of the Metropolitan Opera, and the first black baritone to sing there. Among his most famous roles was the title role in Giuseppe Verdi's "Rigoletto".
performer: "They Pass By Singin'", "I Got Plenty o' Nuttin'", "Bess, You Is My Woman Now", "I Loves You Porgy", "O Bess, O Where's My Bess", "Finale: O Lawd, I'm On My Way"
$500,000