Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

June 4, 1917 in Brooklyn, NY

Death

:

October 23, 2004 in New Rochelle, NY

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

Robert Merrill was an American operatic baritone who was born on June 4, 1917, in Brooklyn, New York. He was born as Moishe Miller to immigrant parents from Russia. Merrill grew up in a musical family, and his father was a cantor in a local synagogue. He started singing at a young age and was a member of the synagogue choir. Merrill attended Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, where he was a member of the school's glee club. After high school, Merrill worked as a tailor and sang in nightclubs to make ends meet. He also studied voice with Samuel Margolis, a well-known vocal coach. In 1941, Merrill made his professional debut with the New York City Opera as Amonasro in Verdi's Aida. He was then drafted into the United States Army during World War II and served in the Special Services division, entertaining troops with his singing. After the war, Merrill returned to the New York City Opera and made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1945 as Germont in Verdi's La Traviata. He quickly became a favorite of audiences and critics alike, known for his rich, powerful voice and his commanding stage presence. Merrill went on to perform at the Met for over 30 years, singing in more than 500 performances of 27 different operas. Merrill was also a popular concert performer and made numerous recordings throughout his career. He was known for his interpretations of Italian and French opera, but he also sang in English and German. Some of his most famous roles included Rigoletto, Don Giovanni, and Figaro in The Barber of Seville. In addition to his work as a performer, Merrill was also a respected voice teacher and mentor to many young singers. He taught at the Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music, and his students included such notable singers as Plácido Domingo and Sherrill Milnes. Merrill received many honors and awards throughout his career, including the National Medal of Arts in 1993 and a Kennedy Center Honor in 1999. He was also inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1981. One of Merrill's most memorable performances was his appearance at President John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961. He sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" in front of a crowd of thousands, and his powerful rendition of the national anthem is still remembered today. Merrill retired from the stage in 1976 but continued to teach and perform occasionally. He passed away on October 23, 2004, at the age of 87. His legacy as one of the greatest American baritones of all time lives on through his recordings and the many singers he inspired and taught throughout his career.

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