Marian Anderson: A Life in Song

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• Learn more about African Americans, American history, auditory learners, biographies, Marion Anderson, music, visual learners, and women.

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This exhibition celebrates the artistic development and musical career of Marian Anderson. Renowned throughout the world for her extraordinary contralto voice, she is also remembered for her dignity and grace under pressure. Through the mechanism of recorded sound, we can continue to enjoy Ms. Anderson’s renderings of Lieder and spirituals. Through the reflected light of photographs, we can glimpse the preparation and performance of her repertoire. And through the papers that she left behind, we can investigate and understand how, when, where, and with whom her life took shape, was enriched, and became enriching not only for her audiences but also for others in need.

Before her death Anderson placed her personal papers (including letters, music scores, programs, photographs, and sound recordings) with the University of Pennsylvania Library. The library digitized these primary sources and made them available on this biographical site. The searchable table of contents spans Anderson’s life, beginning with her birth in Philadelphia and traces the rise of her career, culminating with her engagement with the Metropolitan Opera. Secondary sources provide an overview of each segment of her life and then link to pertinent primary sources. Included is a brief history of spirituals in recital as well as commentary on Anderson’s legacy. Visitors also have the option to search the collection of more than 4000 photos, sound recordings, and video clips.