Todd Duncan was the original Porgy in the first run of Porgy & Bess, which opened on 10 October 1935 in New York. Prior to that, he obtained a master's degree in voice from Columbia University Teachers College. He was also Professor of Voice at Howard University in Washington D.C.. He also sang in London, and was the first black artist to appear at the New York City Opera, in 1945. He retired from show business in 1951, but continued a teaching and singing career which included over 2,000 performances in 56 countries. His work as a teacher continued until just before his death.