Lineman to La Scala: Morris Robinson

How does a college football player with hopes for the NFL become a world-renowned operatic bass and Artistic Adviser for Cincinnati Opera? Listen as Morris Robinson chats with Artistic Director Evans Mirageas about his dynamic career and inspiring story.

Show Notes

• Robinson sang the bass solo parts for Mozart’s Requiem and Haydn’s The Creation in high school

• Robinson attended New England Conservatory of Music’s weekend program: the School of Continuing Education

• Norman Scribner founded the Choral Arts Society of Washington

• Satanella is a rarely performed opera by Michael William Balfe

• Sharon Daniels, Boston Conservatory

• Atlanta Boy Choir

• The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina

• Robinson lists the following bass roles he’s sung: Grand Inquisitor in Don Carlo, Zacharia in Nabucco, Zarastro in The Magic Flute, Night Watchman in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

• Robinson mentions the role of Old Man River in the musical Show Boat

• Teatro alla Scala

• Crown is another character in George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess

• Robinson sang Porgy in Porgy and Bess with Lester Lynch as Crown

• Robinson sang in Don Carlo with James Morris as Philip II

• Bonaldo Giaiotti

• Ferruccio Furlanetto

• “Il lacerato spirito” from Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra

• Bass-baritone Samuel Ramey

• German bass Kurt Moll

• Musician Prince

• Singer Rachelle Ferrell

• T.I., Usher

• Tracy Wilson created Opera Goes to Church, which started at Allen Temple AME

• YouTube, iTunes, Apple Music

• Renée Fleming, Karita Mattila

• Lawrence Brownlee, Christain Lewis, John Holiday

• Jack & Jill

• Divine Nine

• Robinson frequents Cincinnati's Hathaway’s Diner

• Robinson enjoys the TV shows Snapped and The First 48, as well as the channel HGTV

• Robinson frequently uses Apple Music

• Robinson cites Stephen Lord, Ken Noda, James Levine, and Evans Mirageas as four of his career mentors