Marian Anderson - Black Women, Family and Family
Marian Anderson's Personal Details
Marian Anderson was one of the best known American singers of the twentieth century
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | February 27, 1897 |
| Died on | April 8, 1993 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | African American Singers, Black Musicians, Black Singers, Singers, Black Women |
| Spouses | Orpheus H. Fisher |
| Siblings | Alice, Ethel Anderson |
| Known as | Anderson, Marian |
| Universities |
|
| Birth Place | Philadelphia |
| Gender | Female |
| Father | John Berkley Anderson |
| Mother | Annie Delilah Rucker |
| Sun Sign | Pisces |
| Born in | Philadelphia |
| Famous as | Singer |
| Died at Age | 96 |
// Famous Black Women
Zahara Jolie-Pitt
Zahara Jolie-Pitt is the adopted daughter of former celebrity couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family life and fun facts about her.
Harris Faulkner
Harris Faulkner is a new anchor and television presenter for Fox News Channel. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her life.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams is an all-time great women's tennis player. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.
Marian Anderson's photo
Who is Marian Anderson?
Marian Anderson is regarded as one of the best contraltos of the twentieth-century. She earned the distinction of becoming the first African American singer who performed with the New York Metropolitan Opera. Marian was born in Philadelphia and started displaying her extraordinary vocal talent from the time she was a child. However, her family was not well off and did not have enough means to pay for her formal vocal training. It was a magnanimous gesture shown by the members of Marian’s church congregation who raised funds, which enabled her to attend a music school for about a year. A major portion of her singing career was devoted in giving performances in recital in important music venues and in concerts as well as with well known orchestras throughout Europe and the United States of America. Though she was offered various roles with many of the major European opera companies but Marian declined all of them as she was not a trained actor. Her first preference had always to perform in recitals and concerts only. However, Marian did perform opera arias within her recitals and concerts. She did several recordings that were a reflection of her broad performance talents ranging from concert literature to traditional American songs, to opera and spirituals. Marian Anderson became one of the important personalities in the then ongoing struggle for many of the black artists for overcoming racial prejudices during the mid twentieth-century in the United States of America.
// Famous Black Singers
SZA
SZA is an American singer-songwriter known for her debut studio album ‘Ctrl.’ Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.
Rozonda Thomas
Rozonda Thomas is an award winning American singer and songwriter. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her life.
XXXTentacion
XXXTentacion (Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy) was an American rapper, known for his raw and daring style of music. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and death.
Childhood & Early Life
Marian Anderson was born on 27 February 1897, in Philadelphia, to John Berkley Anderson and Annie Delilah Rucker.
Marian was the oldest of three daughters and was only 6 years old when she joined the choir as a member at a church called Union Baptist Church. She was given a nickname “Baby Contralto”.
Marian’s father was an ice and coal dealer and was supportive of his daughter’s interests in music. Her father bought her a piano when Marian was just 8-year-old. Since the family did not have enough means to send her for music lessons, the immensely talented Marian taught music herself.
Marian lost her father when she was barely 12 years old and her mother had to raise the children single-handedly. However, this personal tragedy did not stop Marian from pursuing her musical ambitions. She was still deeply attached to her church as well as its choir where she rehearsed different parts such as bass, tenor, alto, soprano in the presence of her family till the time she perfected them.
Career
Anderson’s family could not afford high school education for her nor could they pay for her music lessonS. However, her passion for singing helped her stay active in the musical activities in churches where she joined the adult choir. Her involvement with the Camp Fire Girls and Baptists’ Young People’s Union opened some musical opportunities.
With help from Reverend Wesley Parks, pastor of her church and directors of the People’s Chorus, she was able to attend singing lessons from Mary Saunders Patterson. Eventually, she succeeded in graduating from the South Philadelphia high School in 1921. Sadly, her application in the Philadelphia Music Academy (now University of the Arts), all-white school, was turned down for reasons of ‘we don’t take colored’.
Braving all obstacles with grit, Anderson sought higher career opportunities by seeking studies with Agnes Reifsnyder and Giuseppe Boghetti in her native city. All through the time she got support from the Philadelphia Black Community.
She got her first break in 1925, after she earned the first prize for singing amazingly in a competition that was sponsored by the New York Philharmonic (NYP). This opened new avenues in her career.
Her achievements in the competition gave her the chance to perform in a grand concert arranged with the orchestra on August 26, 1925. The performance was highly appreciated by the music critics and the audience.
Anderson stayed back in New York to make the smartest move in career. She attained higher studies from Frank La Forge and during this time Arthur Judson worked as her manager, whom she had met through NYP. In the next few years, she appeared for many concerts in the US, though racial prejudice posed many road blocks. For this reason, her career was not able to get much momentum.
Many things changed in her singing career when she sang at the Carnegie Hall in 1928. She took a smart move by deciding to shift to Europe and studying with the then famous Sara Charles-Cahier. Thereafter, she launched a highly successful European singing tour.
By the end of 1930s, Marian’s voice was famous on both sides of Atlantic. She was invited by the U.S. President Roosevelt and the First Lady Eleanor to give her performance at the White House. Marian was the first African American singer to receive this exceptional honor.
Marian Anderson eventually retired from singing in 1965 after a long illustrious music career but she continued to make public appearances even after that.
Major Works
Marian Anderson holds the record of being the first African-American to have sung at the metropolitan Opera House in New York, both in the years 1955 and in 1956.
She amazed the world by singing at the presidential inaugurations of John F. Kennedy and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
In 1957, she made extensive concert tour of the far east of the US State Department and India. Her European singing tour in the 1920s was the most popular of her times.
Awards & Achievements
She worked for several years as a delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Committee and as a "goodwill ambassadress" for the United States Department of State, and gave concerts throughout the world.
In 1955, Marian Anderson earned the distinction of becoming the first African American for performing at the New York Metropolitan Opera as a member.
Personal Life and Legacy
Marian Anderson married Orpheus H. Fisher on 17 July 1943 at Bethel in Connecticut. Orpheus was an architect and Marian was her second wife. Her husband had initially proposed her when they were both teenagers.
Marian Anderson had a stepson named James Fisher by this marriage. James was her husband’s son from his earlier marriage to Ida Gould.
The couple had bought a sprawling 100-acre property at Danbury in Connecticut after they searched extensively in places like New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. The property was Marian’s home for about five decades.
Orpheus Fisher, Marian’s husband died in 1986 after about 43 years of marriage. Anderson continued to live at Marianna Farm till the year 1992, just one year prior to her death.
Marian passed away on 8 April 1993 when she was 96 years old due to congestive heart failure. She had a stroke just a month before she expired.
Marian Anderson’s life was a source of inspiration for many artists and writers. She was an inspiration and role model for celebrities like Jessye Norman and Leontyne Price.
Trivia
In 1960s, Marian Anderson was an active participant in the Civil Rights Movement and even sang at the “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in the year 1963”.
// Famous Singers
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell is an American singer and songwriter. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family, personal life, birthday, etc.
Isaak Presley
All about American actor and singer Isaak Presley including his age, birthday, family life, girlfriends, net worth, and some fun facts.
Sophia Montero
Sophia Montero is an American singer and YouTuber. Let’s have a look at her family and personal life including age, date of birth, net worth, relationships, and fun facts.
Marian Anderson's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Other | ||
| 0 | 1978 - Kennedy Center Honors | |
| 0 | 1991 - Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award | |
| 0 | 1984 - NAACP Image Award – Hall of Fame Award | |
Marian Anderson biography timelines
- // 27th Feb 1897Marian Anderson was born on 27 February 1897, in Philadelphia, to John Berkley Anderson and Annie Delilah Rucker.
- // 1921With help from Reverend Wesley Parks, pastor of her church and directors of the People’s Chorus, she was able to attend singing lessons from Mary Saunders Patterson. Eventually, she succeeded in graduating from the South Philadelphia high School in 1921. Sadly, her application in the Philadelphia Music Academy (now University of the Arts), all-white school, was turned down for reasons of ‘we don’t take colored’.
- // 1925She got her first break in 1925, after she earned the first prize for singing amazingly in a competition that was sponsored by the New York Philharmonic (NYP). This opened new avenues in her career.
- // 26th Aug 1925Her achievements in the competition gave her the chance to perform in a grand concert arranged with the orchestra on August 26, 1925. The performance was highly appreciated by the music critics and the audience.
- // 1928Many things changed in her singing career when she sang at the Carnegie Hall in 1928. She took a smart move by deciding to shift to Europe and studying with the then famous Sara Charles-Cahier. Thereafter, she launched a highly successful European singing tour.
- // 17th Jul 1943Marian Anderson married Orpheus H. Fisher on 17 July 1943 at Bethel in Connecticut. Orpheus was an architect and Marian was her second wife. Her husband had initially proposed her when they were both teenagers.
- // 1955 To 1956Marian Anderson holds the record of being the first African-American to have sung at the metropolitan Opera House in New York, both in the years 1955 and in 1956.
- // 1955In 1955, Marian Anderson earned the distinction of becoming the first African American for performing at the New York Metropolitan Opera as a member.
- // 1957In 1957, she made extensive concert tour of the far east of the US State Department and India. Her European singing tour in the 1920s was the most popular of her times.
- // 1963In 1960s, Marian Anderson was an active participant in the Civil Rights Movement and even sang at the “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in the year 1963”.
- // 1965Marian Anderson eventually retired from singing in 1965 after a long illustrious music career but she continued to make public appearances even after that.
- // 1986 To 1992Orpheus Fisher, Marian’s husband died in 1986 after about 43 years of marriage. Anderson continued to live at Marianna Farm till the year 1992, just one year prior to her death.
- // 8th Apr 1993Marian passed away on 8 April 1993 when she was 96 years old due to congestive heart failure. She had a stroke just a month before she expired.
// Famous Black Musicians
Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters was a blues musician referred to as the 'father of modern Chicago blues.' Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder is an American musician, singer and songwriter, considered to be one of the most creative musical performers of the 20th century. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline
Wale
Wale is an American rapper of Nigerian descent. Check out this biography to know more about his childhood, family, personal life, etc.
Kanye West
Kanye West is an American hip-hop musician, rapper, lyricist, record producer, film director and fashion designer.
Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson was an American blues singer-songwriter and musician. This biography profiles his childhood, music career, achievements and timeline.
Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzy Gillespie was one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all times. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts related to his life.
Marian Anderson's FAQ
What is Marian Anderson birthday?
Marian Anderson was born at 1897-02-27
When was Marian Anderson died?
Marian Anderson was died at 1993-04-08
Where was Marian Anderson died?
Marian Anderson was died in Portland
Which age was Marian Anderson died?
Marian Anderson was died at age 96
Where is Marian Anderson's birth place?
Marian Anderson was born in Philadelphia
What is Marian Anderson nationalities?
Marian Anderson's nationalities is American
Who is Marian Anderson spouses?
Marian Anderson's spouses is Orpheus H. Fisher
Who is Marian Anderson siblings?
Marian Anderson's siblings is Alice, Ethel Anderson
What was Marian Anderson universities?
Marian Anderson studied at South Philadelphia High School
Who is Marian Anderson's father?
Marian Anderson's father is John Berkley Anderson
Who is Marian Anderson's mother?
Marian Anderson's mother is Annie Delilah Rucker
What is Marian Anderson's sun sign?
Marian Anderson is Pisces
How famous is Marian Anderson?
Marian Anderson is famouse as Singer