Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

February 27, 1897 in Philadelphia, PA

Death

:

April 8, 1993 in Portland, OR

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Marian Anderson was an African American classical music artist who was born on February 27, 1897, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the eldest of three daughters born to John Berkley Anderson and Annie Delilah Rucker. Her father worked as a coal and ice dealer, while her mother was a former schoolteacher. Marian's parents were both devout Christians, and they instilled in her a strong sense of faith and a love for music. Marian's musical talent was evident from a young age. She began singing in the choir at her local church when she was just six years old. Her family could not afford to pay for formal music lessons, so Marian taught herself to play the piano and read music. She also listened to recordings of famous opera singers and practiced singing along with them. In 1912, Marian's father died, leaving her mother to raise three young daughters on her own. Marian had to drop out of high school to help support her family. She took on odd jobs, such as cleaning houses and working as a laundress, to make ends meet. Despite these challenges, Marian continued to pursue her love of music. She joined the choir at her local church and began performing at community events. In 1925, Marian's talent caught the attention of the conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, who invited her to audition for a solo performance. Marian impressed the conductor with her powerful voice and was invited to perform with the orchestra at their next concert. This performance marked the beginning of Marian's career as a professional singer. Over the next few years, Marian's career continued to grow. She performed at concerts and recitals throughout the United States and Europe. In 1935, Marian became the first African American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Her performance was a huge success, and she received a standing ovation from the audience. Despite her success, Marian faced discrimination and racism throughout her career. Many concert halls and opera houses refused to allow her to perform because of her race. In 1939, Marian was scheduled to perform at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., but the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), who owned the hall, refused to allow her to perform because she was African American. This incident sparked a national controversy, and many people, including First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, spoke out in support of Marian. In response, the Secretary of the Interior arranged for Marian to perform on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday. The concert was attended by over 75,000 people and was broadcast on national radio. Marian's performance of "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" became a symbol of the struggle for civil rights in America. Marian continued to perform throughout the 1940s and 1950s, becoming one of the most celebrated classical music artists of her time. She received numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963. Marian retired from performing in 1965 but continued to be an advocate for civil rights and a mentor to young musicians. Marian Anderson died on April 8, 1993, at the age of 96. She left behind a legacy as a trailblazer for African American musicians and a symbol of hope and perseverance in the face of discrimination. Her powerful voice and unwavering spirit continue to inspire generations of musicians and activists.

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