Marian Anderson
Her voice not only brought sold-out theaters to tears, but moved an entire nation towards racial equality and freedom. Through the merit of her own talent, open heart, and unwavering determination, she defied the countless odds stacked against her and carved the way for the Civil Rights Movement.
Listen to ArtMuse’s episode on the famed contralto, Marian Anderson, who not only broke hearts but also racial barriers with her soulful singing. Throughout Marian’s long career as a singer, she went on to perform with some of the most renowned orchestras and musical talents of her time.
As a result of her many successes, Marian was captured across the mediums by some of the most renowned artists of the 20th century. She was photographed by both Irving Penn and Richard Avedon, and painted by Beauford Delaney, William H. Johnson, and Betsy Graves Reyneau, among others.
Today, Marian Anderson is not only recognized as one of the greatest singers of the 20th century but as an important figure in American History. In this episode, we hope to further honor Marian’s legacy as a fearless woman who led with love, kept her head high through continued discrimination, and had a voice so beautiful that it was able to unite a broken nation.
Listen to ArtMuse’s two part episode on Marian Anderson:
This episode is produced by Kula Production Company.
REFERENCES
Anderson, Marian. My Lord, What A Morning: An Autobiography. Viking, 1958.
Ferris, Jeri. What I Had Was Singing: The Story of Marian Anderson. Twenty-First Century Books, 2014.
Keiler, Allan. Marian Anderson: A Singer’s Journey. University of Illinois Press, 2002.
IMAGES
Marian Anderson as a Child, 1898.
Marian Anderson in 1918 at the Philadelphia Academy of Music.
Billy King, Marian’s first accompanist.
Arthur Judson, one of Marian’s first managers.
Sol Hurok, Marian’s manager of many years.
Marian Anderson Town Hall Concert, December 1935.
Marian Anderson with Eleanor Roosevelt in 1939.
Marian Anderson performing at Lincoln Memorial during her famous Easter Sunday performance on April 9, 1939.
Marian Anderson with Leonard Bernstein in 1947.
Marian Anderson with Albert Einstein, 1937.
Eleanor Roosevelt presents Marian Anderson with the NAACP's 1939 Spingarn Medal.
Marian and King getting married in July of 1943.
William H. Johnson, Marian Anderson #1, 1939.
William H. Johnson, Marian Anderson, 1945.
Laura Wheeler Waring, Marian Anderson 1944.
Irving Penn’s portrait of Marian, 1948.
Marian Anderson at the Metropolitan Opera in 1955.
Marian Anderson as Ulrica at the Metropolitan Opera, 1955.
Betsy Graves Reyneau, Marian Anderson, 1955.
Richard Avedon, Marian Anderson, 1955.
Marian Anderson singing at President Eisenhower’s inauguration, 1957.
Beauford Delaney, Marian Anderson, 1965.
Marian Anderson with President Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson.
President John F. Kennedy with Marian in the Oval Office in 1962.
