William Franklin (opera)

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For other men named William Franklin, please see William Franklin (disambiguation)

William Franklin (born 1906) was an opera singer and was considered a pioneer African American among the Chicago music scene. He debuted aside La Julia Rhea in a 1931 production of Verdi's Aida presented by the National Negro Opera Company. This performance was in celebration of the annual meeting of Pittsburg National Association of Negro Musicians as organized by Mary Cardwell Dawson. Franklin often appeared in other productions of the company as well as opertta performances of Gilbert and Sullivan works. (Southern 416, 529)

[edit] References

The Music of Black Americans: A History. Eileen Southern. W. W. Norton & Company; 3rd edition. ISBN 0-393-97141-4