Donnie Ray Albert, M.M., Bass/Baritone

"Mr. Albert was born just off Highland Road on Nebraska Street.   He graduated from McKinley High where he studied with Mallalieu Turner.  He then earned the Bachelor of Music (voice) degree from Louisiana State University in 1972.  He completed his academic studies with the Master of Music degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.  His operatic debut was in Tremonisha with the Houston Grand Opera.  This was followed by a recording of Porgy and Bess, in which he played Porgy.  He was awarded the Grammy for this performance.  It also helped to establish his international reputation.  He has played a continuous stream of operatic roles since that time.  His performances include roles in Nabucco, Aida, and Tosca with the New York Opera, the Minnesota Opera, and the New Orleans Opera.  He has also performed with the Chicago, Jerusalem, Dallas and Seattle Symphonies; the Minnesota Orchestra, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the New York and Los Angeles philharmonics.  His international credits include performances in Berlin, Jerusalem, and Vancouver.

Mr. Albert, whose wife is also a Baton Rouge native and McKinley graduate, manages to visit home at least once a year.  He was named Music Alumnus of the year by LSU."

Source:  “The First Annual South Baton Rouge Black History Recognition Program”- Author – Ms. Helen Turner Rutledge, February 27, 1993