Born in Brooklyn, Robert Paul Abelson has lived in or near New York his whole life.  He is a graduate of the School of Sacred Music of the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, on whose faculty he now serves.  A member for many seasons of the New York City Opera, he has also sung with other prestigious operatic companies, such as the Seattle Opera Associations, St. Paul Opera, and the Goldovsky Opera Theatre.

 He has appeared in concert with many orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony, and the Mostly Mozart Festival.  Robert Paul Abelson has specialized in Yiddish Art Song and under the guidance of the late distinguished composer, Lazar Weiner, he performed works of neglected Jewish composers in addition to Mr. Weiner’s own inspiring pieces. 

Robert Paul Abelson has appeared in film, television, and the theatre.  He was one of the stars of the Jewish musical review, ON SECOND AVENUE.  Most recently Robert Abelson had a starring role in the Broadway music hit, THOSE WERE THE DAYS, which completed a nationwide tour. 

Robert Paul Abelson is on the board of the American Society for Jewish Music.  He is presently serving as Cantor at Temple Israel in the City of New York.