Robert Faris (Tenor)

Born: September 20, 1924 - Chicago, Illinois, USA
Died: February 23, 2002 - California, USA

The American tenor, Robert Joseph Faris, was born in Chicago, the eldest of three children. After growing up in California and Arizona, he served in the United States Army during World War II, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He received a M.S. in Library Science from University of Souther California (USC), and was a law librarian at UCLA from 1952 to 1981. Some may remember the gingerbread boys he decorated in various college colors.

A principle passion in Robert Faris’ life was music, and he brought his clear tenor voice to many groups, including the UCLA A Cappella Choir, the Roger Wagner Chorale, and the Neo-Renaissance Singers of Los Angeles. He sang with the chorus at thirty Carmel Bach Festivals, and attended several more despite the limitations of his conditions.

Robert Faris was a former resident of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. To the end of his life, he continued to enjoy listening to music and to the writings of his favorite author, P.G. Wodehouse. He died in 2002, after a lengthy struggle with diabetes-related health issues. Age 77. Preceded in death by his father Hervey Samuel Faris; his mother Josephine Fugate Faris; his brother David Gordon Faris, and his sister Nancy Faris Sleeper. He was survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Source: Obituary in Los Angeles Times (March 18, 2002)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (December 2011)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Sandor Salgo

Tenor

BWV 244 [4^th]

Links to other Sites

Robert Joseph Faris Obituary (Legacy)