Birth

:

January 22, 1920 in West Helena, AR

Death

:

August 25, 2002 in Chicago, IL

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

William Warfield was an American classical music artist who was born on January 22, 1920, in West Helena, Arkansas. He was the youngest of five children and grew up in Rochester, New York. Warfield's parents were both musicians, and his father was a Baptist minister. Warfield's mother was a pianist and organist, and she encouraged her son's musical talents from a young age. Warfield began singing in his church choir when he was just a child. He attended Rochester's Frederick Douglass High School, where he was a standout athlete and musician. Warfield was a star football player and also sang in the school's glee club. After graduating from high school, Warfield attended the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, where he studied voice. In 1942, Warfield was drafted into the United States Army during World War II. He served in the Special Services division, where he entertained troops with his singing. After the war, Warfield returned to the Eastman School of Music to complete his studies. He graduated in 1946 with a Bachelor of Music degree. Warfield's career as a classical music artist began in earnest in the late 1940s. He made his debut with the New York Philharmonic in 1948, singing the role of Joe in George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess." The performance was a huge success, and Warfield's career took off from there. Over the next several years, Warfield performed with some of the most prestigious orchestras and opera companies in the world. He sang with the Metropolitan Opera, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra, among others. Warfield was known for his powerful baritone voice and his ability to convey emotion through his singing. One of Warfield's most famous roles was that of Porgy in "Porgy and Bess." He performed the role numerous times throughout his career, including in a 1951 production at the Metropolitan Opera that was broadcast on television. Warfield's performance in that production is still considered one of the greatest interpretations of the role. In addition to his work as an opera singer, Warfield was also a successful concert artist. He performed recitals all over the world, including in Europe, Asia, and South America. Warfield was known for his interpretations of African American spirituals, and he recorded several albums of spirituals throughout his career. Warfield was also a successful actor. He appeared in several films and television shows, including the 1951 film version of "Show Boat" and the 1977 television miniseries "Roots." Warfield's performance in "Roots" earned him an Emmy Award nomination. Throughout his career, Warfield received numerous awards and honors. In 1950, he was awarded the NAACP's Spingarn Medal, which is given annually to an African American who has made significant contributions to society. Warfield was also awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1998, which is the highest honor given to artists by the United States government. Warfield retired from performing in the early 1990s. He continued to be involved in the music world, however, serving as a judge for several vocal competitions and teaching master classes. Warfield also worked as a spokesperson for several organizations, including the United Negro College Fund and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. William Warfield passed away on August 25, 2002, at the age of 82.

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