William Warfield: Concert Singer1

[blkprince02]

I took Dr. Haney for American History at TSU... I also met Mr. Warfield when he came to TSU to do a Masterclass.. I really miss TSU.

[shycuteguy35]

Thanks for this series of interviews. I was privileged to have studied with him as a college student. Great to see him tell his story.  He is still missed.

[MTondeleo]

Warfield first came to my attention in the movie Showboat. Lot of people had not heard of him, but worldwide audiences were utterly electrified by his performance, especially "Old Man River." He was naturally endowed with one of those booming low voices, as if a built-in echo chamber - at the same time exquisitely beautiful. I am immensely grateful for these YT postings exhibiting the enormous, broad spectrum of his vocal skill. How I wish he were still with us!

[1155north]

Bill Warfield and I did a concert together to raise money for a former student of both his an mine who died of AIDS. He was a wonderful man! He did Copland's "Lincoln Portrait' (I did some of Copland's Folk Song arrangements) with a high school band and it was amazing. He WAS narrator AND Lincoln - it was stunning to watch. I count myself lucky to have had the privilege.

[memeexclusive]

What a classy man, first I ever heard of him in my life. Good Post!

[Nanofigleaf]

I was fortunate to hear William Warfield in concert at Rice Lake High School, WI in the early 1960s. By the time he finished "Old Man River" there was hardly a dry eye in the auditorium.

[JackOperaMan]

nice segway

[LazlosPlane]

Sometime in the mid-sixties Mr. Warfield performed in a Pops Concert on a Sunday afternoon, which was broadcast here in NYC. I was about 11, and no one in my family had heard of him, but he came out and sang "Old Man River," and we were all blown away. Been a fan, of course, ever since.

The memory of that Sunday afternoon moment (now close to half a century ago!) is still clear in my mind. Wow.

[coryisawake]

This is a great series of clips!

[ajb1776]

I recently became obsessed with him. Love his vocal control. Such power!

[ArtSongAlliance]

Thank you so much for posting this fond rememberance of our dear Uncle Bill!

[Painter7500]

When I was 11 years old (1975), My family and I went to New York for a trip. While we were there, we got to spend an afternoon with Uncle Bill. We hadn't really seen a man as black as our "Uncle Bill," but we didn't care.  He took us into his apartment, fed us dinner, and entertained us for about two hours, playing the piano and singing "Old Man River," and several other songs. We also played the piano for him and we all laughed and had a great time. I was disappointed to hear of his passing.

[winningsmile222]

Very interesting interview with this wonderful man with the voice and heart of gold. Den

[guitar323d]

I was blessed to have been on stage with Mr. Warfield. I was part of the American U. Choir. With the Paul Hill Chorale and the National Symphony we perform Walton's Belshazzar's Feast. I will never forget the voice and the expressiveness of Mr. Warfield. What a singer!