ABSTRACT
American baritone, born Robert Todd Duncan in Danville, Kentucky. He graduated from Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana, and taught music in public schools. In 1930 he received a master’s degree from Columbia University, and became a professor of music at Howard University in Washington, D.C. He sang in New York with the Aeolian Negro Opera Co., and attracted the attention of Olin Downes, who recommended him to George Gershwin. As a result, Duncan was selected to sing the lead in Porgy and Bess (1936). Duncan did other Broadway work, and appeared with the New York City Opera; he retired from the stage in 1965 after singing at President Lyndon Johnson’s inaugural ceremony. He died in Washington, D.C. His principal recording is the complete Porgy and Bess (Decca #A145, four 78s). He also recorded for British Columbia in the 1930s, and for Philips in the 1940s.
