Audio Antiques - William Warfield, Opera's Master Singer

William Warfield was a famous opera singer, born in the U.S state of Arkansas in 1920. Known for his rich baritone voice and commanding stage presence, the African-American rose to prominence in the mid-20th century, captivating audiences worldwide, and gracing the stages of prestigious opera houses and concert halls. Warfield served in the Army during World War Two, working in military intelligence. After the war, he earned a masters degree at the Eastman School of Music, and was quickly invited to tour Australia where he gave 35 concerts. Warfield then made 6 separate tours of Europe taking the continent by storm. He became a regular guest on radio and television shows. Warfield later became a University of Illinois music professor at Urbana-Champaign, and was later promoted to Chairman of the Voice Department. In 1984 he received a Grammy Award. You will hear William Warfield just as his operatic career was starting to skyrocket, on NBC Radio's popular Edgar Bergen-Charlie McCarthy Show in 1952. One of only a handful of African-Americans to appear on the show during its more than 20 year history. More at KRobCollection.com