Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

February 12, 1903 in Danville, KY

Death

:

February 28, 1998 in Washington, D.C.

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Todd Duncan was an American baritone and composer who was born on February 12, 1903, in Danville, Kentucky. He was the son of a minister and grew up in a musical family. His mother was a pianist, and his father was a singer. Duncan began singing in church choirs at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Duncan attended Butler University in Indianapolis, where he studied voice and piano. After graduation, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. He began performing in musical theater productions and quickly gained a reputation as a talented singer. In 1942, Duncan was cast in the lead role of Porgy in the Broadway production of George Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess. The production was a huge success, and Duncan's performance was widely praised. He went on to perform the role of Porgy over 1,800 times, becoming one of the most famous interpreters of the role. Duncan was also a composer and wrote several works for the stage. His most famous composition is the opera Prince of Players, which premiered in 1959. The opera tells the story of the 17th-century English actor Edward Kynaston, who was famous for playing female roles. The opera was well-received and was performed by several opera companies in the United States. In addition to his work as a performer and composer, Duncan was also a vocal coach and teacher. He taught at Howard University in Washington, D.C., and at the University of Miami in Florida. He also wrote several books on singing and vocal technique. Duncan was a trailblazer in the classical music world, breaking down barriers for African American performers. He was the first African American to perform with the New York City Opera and the first to sing a leading role in a Broadway production. He was also a vocal advocate for civil rights and performed at several civil rights rallies and events. Duncan died on February 28, 1998, in Washington, D.C. He left behind a legacy as a talented performer, composer, and teacher, and as a pioneer for African American performers in the classical music world.

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