Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

June 3, 1887 in Curryville, GA

Death

:

1977 in Boston, MA

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Roland Hayes was a renowned classical music composer and tenor who was born on June 3, 1887, in Curryville, Georgia. He was the son of Fanny and William Hayes, who were both former slaves. Hayes grew up in a musical family, and his mother was a church choir director who taught him how to sing. He began singing in church at a young age and quickly developed a passion for music. Hayes attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he studied music and sang in the Fisk Jubilee Singers. He later moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where he continued his music studies at the New England Conservatory of Music. Hayes faced many challenges as a black musician in the early 1900s, but he persevered and became one of the most celebrated tenors of his time. Hayes made his professional debut in 1911 at the Aeolian Hall in New York City. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented singer and began performing in concerts and recitals throughout the United States and Europe. Hayes was known for his beautiful voice, which had a rich, warm tone and a wide range. He was also known for his expressive and emotional performances, which captivated audiences. Hayes composed several works during his career, including art songs, spirituals, and operas. His most famous composition is "The Life of Christ," an oratorio that he wrote in 1927. The oratorio tells the story of the life of Jesus Christ and features a mix of classical music and spirituals. It was performed by Hayes and a choir of 500 voices at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 1928 and was a huge success. Hayes also composed several other works, including "Songs of the Church," a collection of spirituals arranged for solo voice and piano, and "The Passion According to Matthew," an oratorio based on the Gospel of Matthew. He also wrote several art songs, including "A Negro Love Song," "The Green River," and "The Heart of a Woman." Hayes was a trailblazer in the classical music world, and he faced many challenges as a black musician in a predominantly white industry. He was often denied opportunities because of his race, and he had to fight for the right to perform in certain venues. Despite these challenges, Hayes continued to perform and compose music, and he inspired many other black musicians to pursue careers in classical music. Hayes retired from performing in 1942 and spent the rest of his life teaching and mentoring young musicians. He died on January 1, 1977, at the age of 89. Hayes left behind a legacy as one of the greatest tenors of his time and a pioneer in the classical music world. His compositions continue to be performed and celebrated today, and his influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary black musicians.

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