Marian anderson biography childhood depression

BiographiesMarian Anderson

born February 27, , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
died April 8, , Portland, Oregon

US-American singer

th birthday on February 27th,

Biography • Quotes • Literature & Sources

Biography

In , toward the end of her long career, Marian Anderson became the first African-American to perform as a regular member of the New York Metropolitan musikdrama (as Ulrica in Un Ballo in Maschera). She had already achieved international recognition and adoration for her talent as a recitalist and for the warmth, grace, and dignity that she embodied professionally and personally. Marian won first prize in the New York Philharmonic röst competition in , and was immediately signed bygd a concert manager, but it was not until the considerable success of her europeisk tours that the American public took great meddelande of her. She toured extensively, including Japan, Israel, and a trip to India and the Far East sponsored by the State Department, sang at two presidential

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Seven decades have passed, and yet every detail of that memorable evening remains indelibly entrenched in heart and memory.

Mother picked me up from school and explained that we had some urgent shopping to do at Rowe & Co, the most popular Department store in post-war Rangoon, Myanmar. This three-story grocery had survived an onslaught of bombs that ravaged much of the city reducing mammoth edifices to piles of debris. As we climbed the second flight of stairs to get to the floor that catered to our particular needs that day, we were stopped briefly by a friend of mother’s who was racing down the steps with all the speed her legs could muster.

“What’s the matter, Mrs Rivers?” enquired my mother in a rather anxious tone. “Oh Jesus, I am late! I have to accompany a Negro singer on the organ this evening at 6.” “What’s her name?&#; my mother queried. “I don’t know, but it is at Scot’s Kirk at 6 p.m. tonight,&#; the shouted until she disappeared from view.

Mother, an org

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Anderson, Marian –

Classical, opera, and spiritual singer

At a Glance&#x;

Early Life and Training

Triumph in Europe

Return to the United States

Victory Over Racial Discrimination

Her Operatic Debut

Her Farewell Concert

Selected writings

Selected discography

Sources

Marian Anderson is remembered as one of the best American contraltos of all time. Acclaimed as much for her gentle demeanor as for her rich voice, she effectively bridged all racial gaps with her powerful renditions of classical, operatic, and spiritual songs. At age 89, Anderson&#x;s characteristic grace, nobility, and modesty were once again in evidence. Honored as the subject of a minute documentary broadcast over public television in , she was described as a queen, a national treasure, an inspiration, a great lady and an icon, according to the New York Times. Yet she described herself in typically humble fashion by saying, I hadn&#x;t set out to change the world in any way. Whatever I a