Mrs. Anderson, an American contralto, a prominent musician with exceptional talent in both orchestra and spiritual, is remembered for her rich set of lungs. She performed with well-known musicians in both Europe and the United States. And because of her widespread popularity, multitudes of enthusiasts would often attend her concerts.
Although Mrs. Anderson was a renowned musician in America, many whites did not notice her, for back then, racial segregation was at its peak. Blacks were occasionally discriminated against.
The Early Life of Marian
Marian was born on 27th February 1897 to both John Berkeley Anderson and Anna Delilah in Philadelphia. Her mother worked as a teacher while her father was a loader. Though not from a well-off background, they never went hungry. Marian had three siblings, out of which she was the oldest. She developed an interest in music at a very tender age. Occasionally she would sing in the church choir.
Anderson’s Career
When she turned 15, Marian decided to enroll in a music training center. She was extremely determined to make it as an artist. 1925 marked her breakthrough after a New York Philharmonic sponsored competition. She was overwhelmed with joy as she recalled how far she had come. In the same year, she got an invitation to perform with the orchestra.
In 1928, Mrs. Anderson staged her solo performance at the Carnegie Hall. She had gained many followers, more so the black Americans. However, the escalating racial prejudice in the white man’s land seemed to outweigh her talent. Despite that, Anderson kept pushing, and nothing was going to stop her musical ambitions.
Because the African-Americans supported her talent, she got a scholarship from the National Association of Negro Musicians. Of course, she was shocked as the scholarship came when she least expected it. She left Europe and went for voice training which lasted several months. After that, she decided to tour places across the globe and then decide to return to the US.
In the United States, the reception was terrific though racial discrimination was still on the rise. Being a young black performer at that time was not easy. Occasionally haters would hit at her with mean comments. Nevertheless, she had to keep going, for there was no time to despair.
In 1930, Mrs. Anderson gave close to 70 recitals, performing in different concert halls. One time while seeking entrance in a hotel, she was prohibited. It was only after a fan of hers, Albert Einstein came to her rescue that she was allowed entry. Mr. Einsten was an advocate for anti-racial segregation as he often stood up for blacks who were discriminated against.
In April 1939, Anderson showcased an outstanding performance. It was during the Lincoln Memorial. That performance earned her a place in the civil rights movement. Since then, her image became a symbol of the civil rights movement.
Alternatively, Mrs. Anderson sang during the inauguration ceremony of two American Presidents, Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy, in 1957 and 1960, respectively. Through her musical career, Mrs. Anderson opened ways for many black female musicians. She became a global citizen not just for music but the international community.
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