Robert Cole and J. Rosamond Johnson

Robert Cole and J. Rosamond Johnson

The First African Americans to write and produce an opera

By NS2015

Robert Cole was a multi-talented person who had knowledge of the facets of the show business world. He had the passion, vision, and drive to live out his dream and destiny. He was the first African American to write and Produce an all-black cast opera. The musical opera was named A TRIP TO COONTOWN. The show’s opening night was at New York Third Avenue Theater in 1898.

In the later part of his endeavor, he was introduced to the J. Rosamond and James Jonson who was the writer of the African American National Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing”. All three had a bond and a business relationship that was tremendously successful. Robert and J. Roasmond became the First African American Songwriter to sign a contract with a Broadway Music Publisher.

The Produced the first true African American operetta the Shoo-fly Regiment. The Second one was The Red Moon which opened in 1908.

In 1910 Robert and J took to Vaunderville and venture into a very long and exhausting tour. In august 1911 while in a private sanitarium in the Catskill Mountains, Robert drowned in a lake. J. Rosamond Johnson died later in 1954.