Robert Merrill

May those who are brokenhearted or broken in spirit be comforted by the God who promises to do so when we need it.

To family of Robrt iam so sorry for your lost

For Robert...

WEEP NOT FOR ME


Do not weep for me when I no longer dwell among the wonders of the earth; for my larger self is free, and my soul rejoices on the other side of pain...on the other side of darkness.

Do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine that touches your skin, a tropical breeze upon your face, the hush of joy within your heart and the innocence of babes in mothers arms.

I am the hope in a darkened night. And, in your hour of need, I will be there to comfort you. I will share your tears, your joys, your fears, your disappointments and your triumphs.

Do not weep for me, for I am cradled
in the arms of God. I walk with the angels, and hear the music beyond the stars.

Do not weep for me, for I am within you;
I am peace, love, I am a soft wind that caresses the flowers. I am the calm that follows a raging storm. I am an autumns leaf that floats among the garden of God, and I am pure white snow that softly falls upon your hand.

Do not weep for me, for I shall never die, as long as you remember me...
with a smile and a sigh.


© Joe Fazio
~
[email protected] /Joe Fazio,
Beverly Hills, California

A beautiful voice so booming!

A loss to music lovers.

Rest in peace and sing now to the angels above.

Robert Merill was one of the great singers of our time and will be remembered not only as a singer, but a warm and wonderful human being. May he rest in peace.

I was a vocal student for many years in my twenties and early thirties. Robert Merrill was my hero. Never has there been such a beautiful, effortless sound that seemigly was detached from any physical entity. It just happened. Listening to him gave me great encouragement to press on many times. I had the thrill of meeting him at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. I'll always be grateful for this man.

It was in the early '50s when I first (12 years old) listened to a 78 record of Merrill singing the famous aria from "The barber of Seville" and a short aria from Zaza by Leoncavallo. In 55 years I never heard a finer baritone. The quality, the color and the warmth - unmatched. I did not have the privilage seeing him on stage. The closest I came was watching him on a 1969 TV program, where he also showed a pleasant and kind sense of humor. What a lovely human being!

Robert Merrill was one of God's gifts to singers and lovers of great voices. The distintive "buzz" in his tone, set him apart from even the finest of baritones. This golden voice will not be forgotten--ever!

In 1972, I was in New York studying singing with Rose Bampton. As I was performing Micaela with Opéra du Québec in Montreal, she gave me ticket to hear Carmen at the Met. Fortunately, I met Robert Merrill which I have appreciated his wonderful voice. I keep an excellent souvenir of him. Micheline René, Montréal,Canada.

Even after almost 2 years since Bob passed away, there is still in us this wonderful memory of a very warm-hearted friend whom God had given one of the most beautiful baritone voices this earth ever heard !

Farewell, old friend !

Your old Canadian "Gold-Digger"
Wolfgang

Probably the most glorious Baritone sound of the last Century or any other. A seamless velvety sound from top to bottom, effortlessly produced, and perfectly placed. He taught by example as Artist and Human Being. I was blessed to have a unique video interview with Robert, when he was honored by a prestigeous Synagogue in Boca Raton Florida, 1/26/2001.

Nobody, but nobody, sang our National Anthem better than Robert Merrill at Yankee Stadium.

A very fine artist and a very fine man. Back in the '64-'65 season of the Metroplitan Opera, I was one of the slaves in the production of "Aida" and made my entramce with Mr. Merrill. He used to clear his throat and make a few sounds before going on -- what a voice! He sounded better clearing his throat that most people do when singing their best. He was also very humorous. And in terms of his place as a singer -- he was one of the last of the golden age of opera singing in this country.

Mr. Merrill will truly be missed. May the peace of Jehovah God be with his family.

To me, Robert Merrill will always be the greatest baritone to have ever lived. His color, musicality, nasality was so perfectly brilliant and equally placed together that to ask for another voice so beautiful, within our life-time, would prove that few had truly appreciated the gift God so freely gave us throughout his career.

i was so sorry to hear of the death of the great merrill. good music will sadly miss him

BAROTONE,HARD TO MASTER,WHAT A GREAT VOICE,TEARS DID FLOW FIRST TIME I HEARD HIM SING NATIONAL ATHEM.GOD BLESS FAMILY.

The passing of Robert Merrill is a tremendous loss to our great country. My son would call out, "Mom, here's your favorite singer" as he was about to sing our National Anthem as only he could, at the start of a Yankee Game. I saw him at Yankee Stadium, and later at the County Fair in Rockland County, NY ~ 1988; he was ailing but still in wonderful voice and most gracious. I told him I cried at his rendition of our anthem; all within hearing applauded. He said grown men often told him they too cried when he sang the anthem. It was a stirring, emotional experience to hear this talented man honor our country, time and time again.

He and his lovely wife posed for pictures after his show at the local Fair for as long as it took for all with a camera to record their special moment.

His many duets on Sunday night radio were a treat to all who tuned in.

May he rest in peace. His memory lives on. Sincere sympathy to his family. We have all lost a great person. Amen.

robert,you'll be missed by everyone! my heartfelt goes out to your family"and friends and all your fans! sincerely rhonda

I remember as a kid my mother saying that when Robert Merrill sang the National Anthem the Yankess would win. He was truly an amazing presense when he sang and will be missed.



My sympathies to the whole family.

We were not that different in age but it was a mans great voice that I heard when I was young and now it will be enjoyed forever by the Gods.

Addio, Bob!

Apart from your passionate devotion

to the Verdi repertoire, I enjoyed our sidewalk chats on upper Broad- way. Not just a troubadour, but a

boulouvardier as well. What a guy!

As myself the biggest Yankee fan in the state of Texas, I bid you a loving farewell. May God bless you and I feel so blessed to have heard you sing.

I treasure my recording of Robert Merrill and Jussi Bjoerling in the duet from the Pearl Fishers; it still causes me to weep with joy and emotion. I remember the performances including Mr. Merrill when the Met still toured and came to Cleveland, Ohio. Years of pleasure.

Heaven must have one heck of a

choir now with this man joining. I'm sorry to hear of his passing.

Even in the "cowtown" of Denver, we enjoyed your work and your visits from time to time.

I remember going to Yankee Stadium as a kid and hearing Mr. Merrill sing our National Anthem. It was something I always looked forward to.



He had a truly amazing voice.