ROBERT MERRILL FINAL INTERVIEW with STEPHEN TEXON.mpg

Metropolitan Opera Superstar Baritone ROBERT MERRILL, sits down with renowned Cantor Baritone STEPHEN TEXON, to review his amazing life! These are only highlights of a rare in depth interview with the International Opera Icon in his home in August 2000! Funding needed! CONTACT: [e-mail] or stephentexon.com

[@trumpet71]

Robert Merrill had the most beautiful baritone voice I've ever heard. He seemed like such nice man.

[@marthakasten4725]

First, a human being- THEN an artist. Amen!!!

[@stevetexon]

My great pleasure to be sharing this video interview with the world. Robert Merrill was one of God's greatest gifts to the opera and music world, but his integrity, work ethic, and example as a great human being, surpassed all!! Thank you again for your kind words!

[@hellbooks3024]

What a beautiful man. And you’re not so bad yourself, cantor.

[@BellaFirenze]

Robert Merrill (June 4, 1917 - October 23, 2004) was an American operatic baritone and actor, who was also active in the musical theatre circuit. He received the National Medal of Arts in 1993. What a mensch. May his memory be a blessing.

[@emlynjay8633]

Came across this video just before Christmas 2020 (Covid nightmare U.K. and elsewhere) thanks to KZbin Algorithm. How uplifting to hear his wonderful voice again: what a nice, well-grounded man he was . In the Musical firmament.

[@santacruzsweetie62]

Growing-up with Robert Merrill on the Mike Douglas Show . . . been hooked on Opera ever since! What a thrill his voice still brings

[@stevetexon]

Yes, you are absolutely correct! He ranks with the greatest Baritone voices of all time, yet his ego never got in the way. His heart and soul were as golden as his voice. He set the bar at it's HIGHEST for all generations to come! I enjoyed many of your video clips, and thanks for your comments.

[@cantorbaby]

An undeniable talent to be remembered with great fondness. Thank you Stephen for a super interview.

[@stevetexon]

You are so right! Thank you for expressing that! There were many truly great outstanding Baritones throughout Opera history, but MERRILL was supreme, and his throat was kissed by God!!

[@sylwiabukowska508]

The greatest Baritone

[@MrSpeakerman]

His Pearl Fishes duet with Jussi were synergy

[@FlorianStollmayerMUSIC]

The best ever!!!

[@PeterLunowPL]

what a singer ,what a wonderful man!!

[@GloriaJanvier]

Mr. Merrill had such a wonderful sense of humor in addition to a gorgeous voice!

[@stevetexon]

I'm so glad that you asked. NO.. Merrill never served as a Chazzan, however, he proudly sang in Choirs for the HH Days in his youth to make living. He sang in Yiddish in Concerts and is famous for singing the Ravel KADDISH and the Bloch SACRED SERVICE in which he sings the Cantor's role.

[@yortko1]

He had such a rich powerful baritone voice. His presence in the world of opera had a strange preternatural feel to me. When I first starting listening to opera records in my teens about 20 years ago, it was if I had heard his voice sometime before, but of-course I couldn't have. I wrote him a letter all the way from Australia when I was 16 and he signed and returned my Rigoletto CD cover, which I still treasure to this day.

[@tenorschofield]

Great baritone was Mr. Robert Merrill...so humble, that makes us really beleive that the biggest stars, are really the most easy going of all!!!!!!!!! We that receive the heritage of maestro Merrill, are proud and honored by him. We will always remember you as a great artist, and as a magnificent person!!! BRAVOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@musikenergy]

I had no idea that Merrill was so relatable and down to earth. I thought he would have developed a new accent and turned little stuffy with the kind of career he had. I thought wrong. He seems like the guy who will hold a conversation with you at the market without you knowing how phenomenal he is! I love his quote, 1st you're a human being, 2nd you're an artist. Great advice.

[@stevetexon]

You are so right.. The two of them were pure magic! Merrill and Tucker were equally amazing!

[@stevetexon]

We discussed some of that in the full length version of the video, still to be released. Yes, the blend with Bjoerling was pure MAGIC!! Thanks!

[@johnschuh8616]

Indeed. I am going from here to there pronto.

[@RichardMunro1963]

what a wonderful man and a wonderful singer. We loved him. We saw him live on a number of occasions. He was a great favorite of my father's

[@stege9979]

Great intervju and proper respect towards Merrill. The way it should be handled.

[@amantedellopera1681]

One of the finest,warmest baritone voices to have ever graced the stage,his many duets,collaboratins with likes of jussi bjoerling and richard tucker are to this day unsurpassed

[@paullewis2413]

In RCA's recording of Aida, around 1961, Robert Merrill, in the Aida/Amonasro duet, (with Leontyne Price) provides the most magnificent baritone voice I've ever heard in almost 50 years of listening to the finest. Takes my breath away ever time!

[@glenndraper5760]

He was The only Artist That I am aware of That Perfectly Sang The Star Spangle Banner anytime His pitch was Pure with Perfection and with Pride 2 Our Country GOD Bless His Spirit Bravo!!😀😁😂🤣😃😅😆😊😎U.S.A. !!!!!

[@stevetexon]

Thanks for commenting so nicely. Merrill made several wonderful appearances on the Mile Douglas Show, as he did on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Regis and Kathy, and sang with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and the great Danny Kaye! He even sang with Luis Armstrong in Las Vegas!! How's that for an Opera Star of his magnitude!!

[@peterbrewster7028]

A fine interview, joy to watch thank you. I wish Bjorling had been there too

[@georgealderson4424]

Thank goodness that we have recordings of maestro Bjorling but what a loss to the world. I understand he was a lovely man.

[@LeviJustinBeckBassBaritone]

How can anyone give this man a thumbs down?

[@stevetexon]

Wow! Thank you George for saying it exactly as it is! No other Baritone voice on Earth could equal or surrpass Merrill! There were many great ones up there in his league no question, but HE was king, and touched by God! Stay tuned for my Anna Moffo clip in tribute to Merrill, to be posted shortly. Best wishes, ST.

[@stevetexon]

So happy you enjoyed it! He was the greatest guy, and imagine singing Tevye with the greatest Baritone voice of the 20th Century! O course Zero Mostel and Topol were legendary, but a voice like Merrill you'll never find. Tevye fit him like a glove!

[@undiscoveredtenor]

Excellent interview Steve! Mr. Merrill was the real deal...talent, professionalism, and down to earth. They don't make talent like this anymore. Thanks for posting this video. Regards, Joel

[@tenorschofield]

Dear sir thank you very much for sharing this Divine interview with maestro Robert Merrill...really as you said a "megastar" (he is so humble, specially when he askes what is an "icon", and when you explain, he answers:"I been called manny diferent things but not an icon", ha,ha, he was great!!!!!). He was (and still is through your material) a model and icon for all us human beens left here after his wonderful human example. Thanks again for sharing it with all us, may The Lord bless you!!. .

[@Mountchoirboy]

I was not an opera fan until late (about ten years ago) But was lucky to hear him at Yankee baseball games singing the anthem. Fast forward to around the year 2000, I decide to listen to the music my mother so loved and bought a compliation CD and heard Jussi and Robert sing the "The pearl fishers" I replayed this and replayed this as though I'd never get enough! Hence my ascent into being a lover of this art (Last night I hear dPearl this live at Lincoln center. It was a salute to Tucker-joy!

[@davidhertzberg]

Terrific interview, thank you!

[@stevetexon]

Thanks for your lovely comments. He was always a gentleman, but with age he mellowed even more, and had great empathy for other vocal artists. He was unequalled for beauty of sound among all Baritones. There are many shades of beauty, but his surpassed them all!!

[@AHalfBaritone]

Great to see this interview with RM. I well remember being in school in the music room, in England aged 17 years and hearing his voice for the first time on a recording of La Traviata with Bergonzi and Sutherland, I think it was. What a thrill as he entered as Germont! It blew me away. The rich, liquid power. I'm still listening and enjoying. There's not many like him. I also remember getting his autobiography, "Once More from the Beginning." It was great to read his story and his relationship with Marion-a real love story that endured. Brings tears to my eyes. But really, his story is not for sadness, its for a celebration! There's a lovely clip on UTube, "I've Got a Secret", I think, where you see the whole family and his very laid back character, off stage as it were. You get a great feeling about them as a family. Beautiful and a great legacy. Thank you for posting. I'll continue listening.

[@Brace67]

No star shone brighter on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera than that of Robert Merrill.

[@e.conboy4286]

They are old laidback friends. Their conversation was reflection of the golden days of opera Mr..Merrill was the most gracious of men and

[@stevetexon]

Thanks for your lovely comment. Yes, an exceptional human being and an exceptional singer. A voice like this appears once in a thousand years!

[@Mountchoirboy]

Thanks for writing back. My wife has been a fan since she was 6 years old. Her mom told me the story as we drove back from the Tucker event-Seems she watched a show that featured an opera "La Triviata" and she watched intently and cried at the end! My wife became a (I am awful at spelling but I'll give it a try-"Conyahshenti" or avid opera buff and she knows EVERYTHING about opera-so I am in good company (we saw a re broadcast of Otello tonight on 42nd street movie house) I'm in good hands

[@stevetexon]

Yes indeed! He was an exceptional human being.. remaining modest, while knowing his own greatness. He was actually humbled by his own divine vocal gifts, and told me so in different ways. Example: "What's a kid from Brooklyn doing on stage at the Met.. or singing with Toscannini? The Lord above fashioned his voice to be supreme!!

[@stevetexon]

There is more, much much more. Funding is needed to complete the DVD. I want it on a PBS Special!

[@johnschuh8616]

Beyond the wonderful voice, he was a great entertainer. But, Cantor, you are not bad yourself!

[@stevetexon]

Thank you! My great pleasure.. so glad you enjoyed it!

[@Glinkaism1]

Very few, if any, regular guys with great talent today. Bob was a mensch!

[@stevetexon]

Absolutely correct!!

[@Glinkaism1]

Stephen Texon Hi Stephen. Happy 5775. :) Y'know, years ago there were a lot of nice people like Bob in show biz on late night TV shows. Not so today, as far as I can tell.

[@Aegisth]

True...the best have past away. Sad....

[@gallferi]

As I've said in so many YT videos, that I am honored to have sung with him in Florida (1978) in Rigoletto ( I - Sparafucile). I would like to recollect an incident in the hotel-elevator: We were together, going to our rooms after a rehearsal, naturally all the people in the elev. recognized him. He turned to me and said: "You have a helluva voice my boy!" The people in the elev looked at me, with "who is this boy?" look, and it made me feel very good.

[@stevetexon]

Thanks for relating both stories which are very true. Here's one about Leonard Warren, whose premature death in 1960 assured Merrill's position as #1 Baritone of the Met for the decade of the 60's. Right before a performance of Pagliacci in which Merrill sang Tonio, Warren asked Merrill if he could hang his overcoat in his dressing room. Merrill said sure. Merrill held the high Ab in the Prologue, for nearly 15 seconds, Merrill returned to his dressing room to find Warren's coat gone!!

[@rexlex1736]

My favorite male opera singer was Robert Merrill. Loved him in "Carmen.." My favorite female opera singer was Beverly Sills.

[@TS57ovr4]

Did anything come of trying to release the full footage? I would love to see more of this interview! Thank you so much for giving us this beautiful footage.

[@stevetexon]

Absolutely right about that! He actually MELLOWED with age as most people do, yet back in his prime he was not very accessible..wife's fault not his. With that colossal instrument, he never taught voice. I was kind of a lucky exception when we became friends in regional productions after he left the MET. He actually vocalized to a high Bb on occasion, and demonstrated. Stay tuned for the full DVD soon to be released, and many thanks for your comments!

[@GeorgeOfZala]

Thank you for the upload of this interview. There is no other voice on Earth I enjoy so much as Robert Merrill's. His humanity and artistry lives forever.

[@lsmart]

Great voice and arguably the most beautiful baritone sound ever, and a fine singer, although I am admittedly not his greatest fan as a dramatic singer (Tibbett and Gobbi are my favorites). Through this interview, you brought out what a wonderful and sweet human being he was. I always said that he and Tucker seemed like they were born to sing duets with each other, even though they were total opposites as far as their natures were concerned (Mr. Ego vs. Mr. Humility). Thanks, Stephen.

[@dreamerjhhan]

His voice is magnificent. He is passionate person. I love him. Thank you for posting.

[@stevetexon]

What a touching story! Thanks for sharing it with us all. Last night must have been beautiful!

[@andrewwalker3312]

Great singer

[@elainebmack]

Really nice, fun, down to earth interview. I enjoyed this very much.

[@albertdiner]

Robert Merrill un gran artista. Me encanta como canta las canciones de FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

[@kraftpr]

Wish there were more. I could listen to Robert Merrill forever!

[@stevetexon]

My pleasure. The full version of the interview will be available on DVD very soon, and will also include a beautiful tribute to Merrill by Diva Anna Moffo. Very unique and special! Please spread the word, and stay tuned to my website or google me for further updates. Regards, Steve.

[@stevetexon]

Yes Mr. Davis, Merrill's statement was tremendous, as was his tremendous career and life!

[@stevetexon]

Hi Friend- Glad you enjoyed it. Yes, the full length version which includes a beautiful tribute to Merrill by Anna Moffo will be available very soon. Stay tuned to my websites for all future updates. Please tell others about it.. it is very special. A motion picture may be in the offing too! Regards, Steve.

[@MicahandModesta]

The interviewer introduces some very useful facts to the table, obviously well researched + he is a singer himself. Merrill was also pretty old at this point... Not to mention he merely had to open his mouth and give us some wonderful gems of advice within a space of 10 seconds.

[@stevetexon]

Yes, that sounds just like Bob Merrill. Loved reading your little story. In my case he called me "lad" until we got close and then he called me Steve. He told me the story of Lawrence Tibbet saying those very words to him, after he (Merrill) sang the Prologue to Pagliacci on at a Sunday night Gala in the mid 1940's shortly after his Met debut in 1945.

[@tenorschofield]

Great words my friend, he was really one of the best of the beste ever!!!. He was so normal, that someone migth think why other "so called stars" are quite strange and "overacted2 in real life"?. Well, Mr. Merrill will always be our model to follow. BRAVOOO Robert Merrill!!!

[@ShawDAMAN]

THANKS for this gem. Great to see what a jovial and essentially modest guy he was, and sharp as ever at about 80 yrs old! Very valuable and interesting advice too about not changing the natural quality of the voice regardless of the role you are singing. This is something I think some singers nowadays try desperately to do which probably just hastens their decline. "Thats all you're getting at these prices" hahaha

[@baritonebynight]

Thanks for posting...one of my favorite voices of all time. His Pearl Fishers recording is the gold standard, IMHO.

[@stevetexon]

My pleasure. Merrill was not only a hero, but a CHAMPION!!

[@francescopiotto9510]

AN ICON! GREAT MAN! THANK YOU!!!! SO GREAT! I love this interview! he is FABULOUS!! THANK YOU! :D

[@StephenMarkBrown]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing. One of my great heroes :)

[@stevetexon]

Absurd isn't it? The nerve of that person to even state that! He was a big Warren fan and G- bless him, but to diminish Merrill is insane. Merrill tells the story that one night Warren hung his coat in Merrill's dressing room. Merrill was singing Tonio in Pagliacci with of course the great Prologue aria for the Baritone. Well, Merrill was in amazing voice (as always) and held the high Ab for nearly 15 seconds. When Merrill returned to his dressing room the coat was gone!

[@johnhoie1]

We had an amazing string of baritones in America: Tibbett, Warren, Merril and Milnes. I wouldn’t attempt to rank them. They were all wonderful.

[@JRobbySh]

Delightful interview.

[@claudioantunovich382]

Muy buen baritono, lo recuerdo con mucho afecto ya que lo escuchaba asiduamente en mi disco: Rigoletto.

[@moishemillerr]

I would die to see the full version!

[@rachelmulcahydance6975]

Thanks Stephen. This is great information. I'd love to see the rest of it. Well done for making it and putting it up on You Tube.

[@Yves_Ka]

He is the only (high) baritone who had the bottom notes for Escamillo

[@stevetexon]

Merrill arranged an audition for the great Moishe Oysher at the Metropolitan Opera for Rudolf Bing. He sang Di Provenza, and Bing cracked up!!

[@AHalfBaritone]

One or two more things about RM and the baritone voice. I don't know whether you know the work of the late Edgar Herbert-Caesari, singing teacher. He talks about a zone in the baritone voice called the VUOTO (void/empty) zone. He distinguishes the "Academic" scale, with the necessary and usual modifications of the vowel sound as the scale is ascended. However, he says that the baritone has 5 notes- B flat (third line) B natural, C, C sharp and D natural, which can be sung with an Oh shape which gives a sense of a floating or unattached tone in the mouth-back to front. He says that it is a colour mechanism that is forgotten and not taught anywhere today (writing in VOCAL TRUTH, page 70, 1969.) To my ears I think I hear that RM has some of this colouring in this range of his voice. He may have been taught this. It may be a natural/instinctive thing??

[@David50s]

Some Metropolitan Opera greats, such as Richard Tucker and Jan Pierce also, at times, served the function of Chazzan. I attended a Passover seder led by Pierce. Did Merrill ever serve as a chazzan?

[@stevetexon]

Indeed it is a unique recording, with Bernstein conducting. What greater voice could ever be found to be the Baritone Cantor? None! Thanks for your comments.

[@marcusunlimited]

You know you are amongst a good man when he is unaware of the definition of the word "icon" in comparison to himself. :) // Not to mention one of the greatest baritones ever. :)

[@premiereopera1]

Wonderful. Thank you for posting this.

[@stevetexon]

Yes, Wow indeed! Merrill was touched by God!

[@Ettoredipugnar]

I love his recording of the Bloch Sacred Service. And Im Italian .

[@stevetexon]

I have thanked Mr Feroe for his refreshingly kind and intelligent comments!

[@Mountchoirboy]

Whoops, I wrote this so poorly sorry, What I saw and heard last night (November 11 Lincoln Center) was "The Pearl Fishers" Tears flowed as I thought about this being the duet that brought me to opera!

[@ChrisStockslager]

After Leonard Warren died, I think the Met's primary house baritones (at least in Verdi) were Merrill, MacNeil, and Milnes. Must be an "M" thing. :P

[@amycarmichael2748]

💞💞💞

[@ajeansmith5478]

Fantastic

[@stevetexon]

Thank you Mr. Haber! Please tell me more about that wonderful reception you organized. Also, perhaps you can recommend some contacts I can approach to help in the completion of the full length DVD. Thanks again, Steve.

[@stevetexon]

Your beautiful comments are deeply appreciated. The rest of the interview will be released on a DVD as soon as the additional funding is received for it's completion. We want this on a PBS Special too! Many thanks.

[@TimothyJonSarris]

Thank you so much for uploading these highlights. Would be curious to know if there was a chance of able to view the whole interview at some point. Again, thanks!

[@ChaznAvi]

Wow!

[@bradycall1889]

Dang in this interview he speaks higher-pitched than during his earlier years.

[@colinbell-NI]

Do we know anything at all about his vocal techniques please?

[@stevetexon]

I'm glad you approve, now kindly no more comments!

[@stevetexon]

There are such people who are just negative by nature. If anything, I can be faulted for not being the more polished interviewer I think I am today. I was too hesitant in that clip. Things improved in the full length version. So let the critics leave Merrill alone!!

[@stevetexon]

They both had towering egos, except that Merrill would defer to Tucker most of the time out of respect and deep admiration for his artistic instincts.

[@igelpatrick2890]

Dommage pas de traduction en Français possible de cet immense chanteur😉😉😉😉

[@stevetexon]

You are so very welcome. Should have done this a long time ago.. long story. Anyway, please give me some suggestions on good promotion!! [e-mail] Hope to hear from you. Steve.

[@humblecharlie4383]

great voice. great toupees.