Marian Anderson (1897-1993) born in South Philadelphia, was a singer, who classified as a contralto, had a range that went as low as a baritone up to the high soprano notes. Her father died when she was a child. Her mother worked as a laundress and barely had enough money to support the family, so their church raised the money to make certain that Anderson could take private singing lessons.
As a young woman, Anderson won multiple singing contests. The prizes included prestigious singing awards including the opportunity to sing with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and trips to England and Germany. In Germany, Anderson studied German songs, which became part of her repertoire. She gave 116 performances while in Europe and received rave reviews and accolades.
In 1939, Anderson had planned on performing in the Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. The Hall was owned by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), who would not allow her to perform because Anderson was African American. Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of then President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was perhaps the most prestigious member of the DAR at that time. Mrs. Roosevelt was so outraged by the DAR’s treatment of Anderson, that she resigned her membership from the organization.
Mrs. Roosevelt helped Anderson arrange to instead have the concert in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Seventy-five thousand people attended the concert, which began with Anderson performing “America.”
Here is the link to watch the Ms. Anderson sing “America.”
As a young woman, Anderson won multiple singing contests. The prizes included prestigious singing awards including the opportunity to sing with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and trips to England and Germany. In Germany, Anderson studied German songs, which became part of her repertoire. She gave 116 performances while in Europe and received rave reviews and accolades.
In 1939, Anderson had planned on performing in the Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. The Hall was owned by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), who would not allow her to perform because Anderson was African American. Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of then President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was perhaps the most prestigious member of the DAR at that time. Mrs. Roosevelt was so outraged by the DAR’s treatment of Anderson, that she resigned her membership from the organization.
Mrs. Roosevelt helped Anderson arrange to instead have the concert in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Seventy-five thousand people attended the concert, which began with Anderson performing “America.”
Here is the link to watch the Ms. Anderson sing “America.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQnzb0Jj074
This concert helped open the doors of opportunity for other African Americans. From that point on Anderson refused to sing at any place or function that was segregated.
Two years later, in 1941, Anderson received the Bok Award, the city of Philadelphia’s award given to honor its most highly regarded citizens. She used the $10,000 award to create the Marian Anderson Scholarship Fund for music students of all races.
On January 7, 1955, Anderson became the first African American to sing a major role at the Metropolitan Opera as a regular cast member.
Anderson made a farewell tour to Europe and the United States in 1956. The next year she traveled to twelve Asian nations on behalf of the U.S. State Department. In 1958, she was named as the U.S. delegate to the United Nations. Anderson received the Medal of Freedom in 1963 and in 1986 was awarded the National Medal of Arts.
This concert helped open the doors of opportunity for other African Americans. From that point on Anderson refused to sing at any place or function that was segregated.
Two years later, in 1941, Anderson received the Bok Award, the city of Philadelphia’s award given to honor its most highly regarded citizens. She used the $10,000 award to create the Marian Anderson Scholarship Fund for music students of all races.
On January 7, 1955, Anderson became the first African American to sing a major role at the Metropolitan Opera as a regular cast member.
Anderson made a farewell tour to Europe and the United States in 1956. The next year she traveled to twelve Asian nations on behalf of the U.S. State Department. In 1958, she was named as the U.S. delegate to the United Nations. Anderson received the Medal of Freedom in 1963 and in 1986 was awarded the National Medal of Arts.
Marian Anderson passed away in 1993 at the age of ninety-six. Throughout her professional career, she was known as the world’s greatest contralto. On January 27, 2005, she was again honored when her image appeared on the 37 cent postage stamp.
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