Todd Duncan
Robert Todd Duncan (February 12, 1903 – February 28, 1998) was an American baritone opera singer and actor. One of the first African-Americans to sing with a major opera company, Duncan is also noted for appearing as Porgy in the premier production of Porgy and Bess (1935).[1]
For the American soccer player, see Todd Duncan (soccer). For the American author and speaker, see Todd Duncan (author).
Todd Duncan
Robert Todd Duncan
February 12, 1903
Danville, Kentucky, United States
February 28, 1998 (aged 95)
Washington, D.C., United States
opera singer, actor, professor
1933–1983
Early life[edit]
Duncan was born February 12, 1903, in Danville, Kentucky, to John and Lettie (Cooper) Duncan.[1] They were married in Danville 1901, he being born in Danville, and she born in Frankfort.[2] John was a garage owner and Lettie was a music teacher. He obtained his musical training at Butler University in Indianapolis with a B.A. in music followed by an M.A. from Columbia University Teachers College.[1]
Honors and death[edit]
In 1978, the Washington Performing Arts Society presented his 75th birthday gala. Duncan was awarded the George Peabody Medal of Music from the Peabody Conservatory of Music of Johns Hopkins University in 1984. Other awards he received include a medal of honor from Haiti, an NAACP award, the Donaldson Award, the New York Drama Critics' Award for Lost in the Stars, and honorary doctorates from Valparaiso University and Butler University.
Duncan was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.[11]
He died of a heart ailment at his home in Washington, D.C., February 28, 1998, survived by his wife, Gladys Jackson Duncan, and adopted son, Charles, a successful attorney.[1][12]