Charles Holland

Charles Holland was born on December 29, 1909 in Norfolk, Virginia. Originally a lyric tenor, he began singing at the early age of14. But his race made it impossible to pursue a classical singing career. He sang with both Fletcher Henderson's and Benny Carter's bands. After he signed a contract with NBC for a thirteen week radio show, his raised profile landed him major roles in Marc Connelly's "Green Pastures" and Virgil Thomson's "Four Saints In Three Acts". At his New York recital debut in 1940, Ross Parmenter of The New York Times called him ''a refined and delicate artist with a light voice which was sweet and true.'' However, racism blunted his career. In the film "Hullabaloo" he sang two numbers, but had to wear a bellhop uniform to sing the famous aria "Vesti la gubbia" from "Pagliacci". He left America and settled in France. In Europe he founded success. Holland made his European operatic debut in "The Magic Flute" at the Paris Opera in 1954. The next year he became the first black singer to appear at the Opera-Comique. His voice darkened, so he sang "Otello" and toured Europe in "Carmen," "Boris Godunov" and Gounod's "Faust." Holland performed recitals, concerts, and sang on radio and television. In 1969 he returned to America. Conductor Dennis Russell Davies promoted Holland's career. In 1981, at the age of 72, Holland gave a recital at Carnegie Hall. Holland became discovered by the avant-garde and continued to sing until 1984. Holland died at his home in Amsterdam in 1987.