 |
 |
 |
 |
Marian Anderson (1902-1993)
Marian Anderson grew up singing in a church choir in Philadelphia. As she progressed with her vocal studies, her voice extended into an unusually wide range; indeed, she sang all parts — soprano, alto and even the typically male tenor and bass parts. She developed into a world famous performer — and is remembered as the contralto of the century.
Despite her fame and exceptional talent, Marian Anderson fell victim to the prejudices of the time in which she lived. In 1939, when the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to let Marian sing in Washington's Constitution Hall, Eleanor Roosevelt resigned from the group. The First Lady then sponsored an Easter morning concert in front of the Lincoln Memorial at which Marian sang before an audience of 75,000.
Marian went on to become the first black singer to perform at the Metropolitan Opera, when she performed in Verdi's "A Masked Ball" on January 17, 1955.
Rate This
Rating: 0/0 (0 votes cast)
Be the first to Comment
| To Top |
| African-American History Month: Marian Anderson |
