William Warfield

Acclaimed throughout the world as one of the great vocal artists of our time, William Warfield is a star in every field open to a singer's art.

His recital debut in New York's famous Town Hall of March 19, 1950 put this artist overnight into the front ranks of concert artists. That historic debut was celebrated March 24, 1975 in Carnegie Hall when, for its 25th anniversary, William Warfield gave a recital for the benefit of the Duke Ellington Center.

Since Warfield's remarkable debut, his career has flourished unabated in a wide assortment of memorable achievements. Immediately, in 1950 he was invited by the Australian Broadcasting Commission to tour that continent for 35 concerts June through September (their winter season), including solo performances with their five leading symphony orchestras. While that tour was still proceeding, his manager back in New York had signed a contract with MGM for Warfield to play the featured role in the most recent version of the great Edna Ferber-Jerome Kern musical Showboat as Joe the dock hand.

This man, who was destined to become one of America's greats, was born in West Helene Arkansas January 22, 1920, the eldest of five sons. While still a small child, his father, Robert E. Warfield, decided to move his family north to Rochester, New York in order to seek better educational and employment opportunities.

During his senior year in high school, he entered the regional auditions of the National Music Educators League Competition, which Warfield won quite handily. The District Award entitled him to enter the National Finals, held that year in St. Louis.

He won first place in the St. Louis Finals. The award was a scholarship to any American music school of his choice. Warfield chose the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester, right in his home city. There the young singer earned his Bachelor of Arts degree and, after four interim years in military service, returned to Eastman to study for his...