Robert E. Cumming
Founder and Artistic Director
June 2, 1933 – March 9, 2021
Robert E. Cumming was born and raised in Lincoln, NE, the youngest of five children. Cumming attended Lincoln High School, Nebraska Wesleyan, and the University of Nebraska, studying voice with Prof. Oscar Bennett and Dr. Arthur Westbrook. A Presser Foundation Scholarship was awarded after the production of “Rumpelstiltskin” at First Plymouth Congregational Church in 1952. He sang lead roles in various Pinewood Bowl operettas before becoming associate editor to Dr. Sigmund Spaeth of the Music Journal in 1956, succeeding as Editor in Chief in 1966. He was also known as director of 65 performances of “Naughty Marietta” for NYC’s Little Orchestra Society, founded by Thomas Scherman. In addition, Cumming sang and directed the Village Light Opera Group, and the Hunter College Gilbert & Sullivan Society. He served as President of the N.Y. Gilbert Sullivan Society.
When coming to Middletown, CT in 1976, Cumming became editorial coordinator, author, and librarian at Weekly Reader Publications. In 1980, he co-founded, with voice teacher Leighton Rand Phraner, the Connecticut Gilbert & Sullivan Society. He served as artistic director until he retired at the end of 2015.
Cumming also served the East Haddam Historical Society since 1976, including a record-breaking six-year stint as President, and nearly a decade as Executive Director–in which capacity he provided R&D for the major William Gillette exhibit.
Cumming remained popular as a soloist in East Haddam at St. Bridget’s of Kildare, in Moodus, CT, and at the First Church of Christ Congregational in East Haddam, CT. He served as soloist of 27 years at First Church of Christ Scientist in Guilford, CT.
Cumming has appeared in “Who’s Who in America” (Marquis) since the 1970’s and in recent years in “Who’s Who in the World.” When asked to do a few words on “the secret of his success,” he laughed and said, “If they knew how much I owe Chase Bank, they wouldn’t ask such a thing!”
Cumming was a quick wit and well-read, giving talks about William Gilette, and the satire of William Gilbert. Quotes from the operettas were sprinkled through his conversation; most especially “He’s in treatment for it.” He leaves a powerful legacy of staging Gilbert & Sullivan operettas as they were traditionally done, with an infusion of “Cumming energy”. His vision was unparalleled, and his work tireless. Those of us who worked with him are the better for it.
And so, in the immortal words of the Pirate King, “Hail poetry, thou heav’n-born maid. Thou gildest e’en the pirate’s trade. Hail, flowing fount of sentiment! All hail, hail, divine emolument!”
To see a video of Bob’s life in pictures, click here
