Frederick Martell Black

Fredrick Martell Black departed this life on March 10, 2025. Born October 4, 1947, he was the sixth of eight children born to the union of Pickens W. Black Jr and Marjorie Nichols Black. Fredrick received a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky and a Master of Music in Voice Performance from the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign.

Fredrick changed his name for the stage to Fredrick Black Martell. He gained a reputation as one of America's most versatile young tenors in his early years as an opera singer. He was known for his excellent coloratura role of Don Ramiro, Prince of Salerno, in Rossini's La Cenerentola (Cinderella). When Fredrick sang at New York's Carnegie Hall, his mother heard him perform professionally for the first time.

The great variety of Fredrick's performing and teaching laid the foundation for becoming the founding director of the New York Opera Project. His reputation as a teacher and coach swiftly became legendary. Students loved him. Martell’s talents as a performer and teacher attracted established singers (including the Metropolitan Opera) interested in expanding their repertoire or discovering a new role and the next generation of singers searching for their voice. He could hear, analyze, and explain details of vocal techniques like no other.

Fredrick moved back to Arkansas to be close to his family in February 2019 as he faced the progression of Alzheimer's Disease. Fredrick leaves to cherish his memory one sister, Willa Black Sanders (Troy) of Maumelle, Arkansas, and one brother, Joseph Wayne Black of Maumelle, Arkansas. He will be deeply missed by his beloved nieces and nephews who will always remember him as their "Handsome Uncle Fredrick." He also leaves behind a loving extended family in New York City, where he spent over 40 years creating a lifetime of treasured memories.

A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 11 am at Oddfellow Cemetery in Auvergne, Arkansas. Services have been entrusted to Tolerson and Sons Funeral Home of Newport, Arkansas.

Arrangements by Arkansas Cremation, 10515 W Markham St, Suite B1, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205. If you would like to leave a message of condolence to the family, you may do so using the Guestbook section.

www.arkansascremation.com