Robert Mosley: Life And Cause Of Death Of The American Bass-baritone

Robert Mosley was a famous bass-baritone who achieved so much fame from the 1950s to mid-1980s in his career as an opera singer
Robert was married to Thelma Grooms Mosley and they had four children including Herman Alan Mosley
The father-of-four died on April 30, 2002, after a prolonged illness

Robert Mosley was an American musician known for performing in quite a number of opera productions and concerts in the 1950s and 1990s. The celebrated bass-baritone began his professional career as Porgy in George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess.

Although he grew up in Oakland, he spent his later years in Kure Beach, North Carolina where he performed at fundraisers, benefits, and also church services. Mosley died on April 30, 2002, at the age of 75.

At the time he died, Robert Mosley was survived by his wife, Thelma, and children; Herman, Robert, Robbin, and Kim.

Personal Profile

Full name: Robert Mosley
Nickname: Bob
Date of birth: 1927
Age at death: 75 years old
Place of birth: Pittsburgh
Nationality: American
Ethnicity: African-American
Sexuality: Straight
Marital Status: Married
Spouse: Thelma Grooms Mosley
Children: 4 (Herman Alan Mosley, Robert Mosley Jr., Robbin Henry, and Kim)

Robert Mosley’s Early Life and Music Career

Robert Mosley was born in 1927. He was raised in Oakland although his parents gave birth to him in Pittsburgh. He graduated from Schenley High School in 1946 and went on to study voice at West Chester University under the tutelage of William E. Bretz.

Following his graduation from the university, Robert started his journey in the music industry in the early 1950s when he began performing in local music revues in Pittsburgh. He was also an occasional singer on the KDKA-TV program The Bill Brant Show.

After working as a concert singer with the Pittsburgh Wind Symphony, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and the also Piburgh Pops Orchestra, Robert decided to relocate to New York City in 1962 in other to further his studies in singing. This was after he won the John Jay Whitney Foundation prize which provided him with funds for professional vocal training.

The same year he started his professional voice training, he also won the Marian Anderson Award and later became a recipient of a Rockefeller Foundation Grant.

In 1965, Robert made his professional opera as Porgy in George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess with the New York Opera at Lincoln Center. In the 1960s, the celebrated bass-baritone was known as a remarkable soloist who led many symphony orchestras such as Chicago, Pittsburgh, and The New York Philharmonic.

During his long-spanned career, Robert Morley received standing ovations at major international productions and tours portraying Porgy, Amonastro in Aida, Valentin in Faust, and the Flying Dutchman.

Part of his achievements includes being among the first generation of African-American opera singers to perform at several opera productions, recitals, and concerts. He also led roles with the Fort Worth Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and Opera Memphis among others. He was mainly based in the USA.

Having gained wide prominence from the 1950s to the 1970s, his performance began to slow in the mid-1980s. He would always be a pioneer in breaking the barriers for Afro-American classical singers.

Robert Mosley: Wife and Children

According to reports, the famous soloist was married to Thelma Grooms Mosley. The two raised four children(two boys and two girls) in all. Their first child and son, Herman Alan Mosley was born on March 18, 1948.

Robert’s other three children are Robert W. Mosley, Robbin Nelson, and Kimberly Caldwell Mosley. His oldest son, Of all his children, only his two daughters are still alive. Herman died on January 12 2021 and was preceded in death by his mother, Thelma, and his brother Robert Jr.

While details about the famed American operatic bass-baritone it has been reported that his eldest son, Herman was a veteran of the US Air Force and also the first African American Deputy Director of the Pittsburgh International Airport.

Robert Mosley’s Cause Of Death

Following a successful career, Robert Mosley relocated to Kure Beach, North Carolina where he spent the last years of his life. He died at the age of 75 on April 30, 2002, after a prolonged illness.

In honor of his legacy, Mosley’s wife requested that donations that were made during the funeral service would be used to provide financial aid to struggling musicians by giving scholarships to musicians in the country.

Robert Mosley was a well-celebrated bass-baritone who broke barriers to make a name for himself. While details about his personal life are not in the spotlight, the African American would be remembered as one of the pioneers of African-American classical music.