Bass singer Morris Robinson performs at the Fort Worth Opera

Fun on the Run and Yolonda Williams

16 mins ago

DALLAS (KDAF) – The Fort Worth Opera gave us a special behind-the-scenes look at rehearsals for their Juneteenth event, “An Evening with Morris Robinson.”

Robinson, a 2022 All-American college football player and Grammy-winning bass singer, performed works from the classical canon as well as traditional Black spirituals in honor of Juneteenth.​

“Every show needs basses,” Robinson said. “I always tell people it’s one of the rarest vocal ranges… There are probably 20 real basses in the opera world, and we all have more than enough work.”

Robinson didn’t start studying opera until he was 30. He was a college football player and says athletic skills are very transferable to the music industry.

“The two really aren’t that far apart,” Robinson said. “When you’re performing, your body is your instrument. It takes a lot of discipline, you have to listen to the coaching. You have to be able to take in information and implement it immediately.”

Also present at the rehearsal was Juneteenth’s grandmother, Opal Lee, who described Robinson’s performance as “awesome.”

“It’s wonderful that a person has such a range,” Lee said. “I could sit and listen to him for hours.”

Lee also reflected on the significance of Juneteenth and the introduction of this day as a federal holiday.

“Juneteenth means freedom,” she said. “And everyone needs to be aware of that – not just in Texas, not just for black people, but freedom for all. The Fourth of July liberated the country, but Juneteenth liberated the people.”