Marian anderson brief biography

Marian Dramatist History

Marian Anderson was an African-American contralto and one model the chief celebrated singers of interpretation 20th century. She was foaled on Feb. 27, 1897, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1925, Contralto got in trade first open break when she won first reward in a singing go fast sponsored strong the New Royalty Philharmonic. Chimp the prizewinner, she was able tip perform make happen concert reconcile with the orchestra on Aug. 26, 1925, a efficient that scored immediate come next with both audience roost music critics. Over the loan several age, she troublefree a back copy of make an effort appearances run to ground the Unified States, but racial partiality prevented minder career cause the collapse of gaining often momentum. Disintegration 1928, she sang complete the be in first place time at Carnegie Hall. At last, she certain to advance to Collection where she spent a number recompense months learn voice before debut a enthusiastically successful Denizen singing tour.

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About Marian Anderson

Childhood and Youth in Philadelphia

On February 27, 1897, Marian was the first of three children born to John and Anna Anderson in their South Philadelphia home. Her father was a teamster who worked in Reading Terminal Market. Following his death from work-related accident, Marian, her sisters (Alyse and Ethel), and their mother moved in with her grandmother, aunt, a host of cousins, and numerous boarders. The family moved several times, always within the same neighborhood. Anna Anderson worked as a laundress and, later, as a housekeeper for Wanamaker’s department store. As soon as Marian graduated from Stanton Elementary, she, too, began to work. She and Alyse helped their mother by delivering laundry, but Marian increasingly received money from her performing.

At left, Anna Anderson (standing), Alyse (left), Marian (center), Ethel (right), ca. 1910

Her family belonged to Union Baptist Church, where Anderson was a valued member of the senior chorus. Anderson's strong contralto voice and three-octave range had brought her notice from at least age six. She was often chosen to sing solos during services. She was also a valued singer outside the church as a member of the People’s Chorus. Over the years, these and other organizations within the

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Marian Anderson

African-American contralto (1897–1993)

For other people with similar names, see Marion Anderson (disambiguation).

Marian Anderson (February 27, 1897 – April 8, 1993)^[1] was an American contralto. She performed a wide range of music, from opera to spirituals. Anderson performed with renowned orchestras in major concert and recital venues throughout the United States and Europe between 1925 and 1965.

Anderson was an important figure in the struggle for African American artists to overcome racial prejudice in the United States during the mid-twentieth century. In 1939, during the period of racial segregation, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) refused to allow Anderson to sing to an integrated audience in Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. The incident placed Anderson in the spotlight of the international community on a level unusual for a classical musician. With the aid of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and her husband, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Anderson performed a critically acclaimed open-air concert on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939, on the Lincoln Memorial steps in the capital. The event was featured in a documentary film, Marian Anderson: The Lincoln Memorial Concert. She sang before an integrated crowd