Marian Anderson 

                      Marian Anderson was the first African American to sing opera professionally. Marian was born on February 17, 1897 in Philadelphia. She was the first child of John and Anna Anderson. She had two sisters. 

                      Marian went to church and at the age of 6, she sang in the church choir. She studied music with her music teacher Mary Sanders Patterson. Then Marian went to anther music teacher, Agnes Reifsnyder. Marian began high school in south Philadelphia in 1918. Giuseppe Bogheii was her instructor until he died in 1941. Marian graduated from high school in 1921. She studied music in different languages.  Marian Anderson entered the New York Philharmonic voice competition and she won first prize. Marian traveled to Europe for the very first time. Marian stayed in Europe for 2 years and then she came back to America.    

           Marian married Orpheus Fisher in 1943. Marian traveled to Europe, Asia, and Africa giving hundreds of performances. Marian’s manger wanted to rent the Constitution Hall for a concert. The Daughters of the Revolution said no black people were allowed. When Eleanor Roosevelt first lady heard about this and said that she did not want to be a member of the Daughters of Revolution anymore. Later Marian sang at the white house for the president and the first lady. She also sang to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Britain. Easter Sunday, Marian Anderson sang in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. January 1955, Marian was the first African American to perform with Metropolitan Opera Company. Marian won a Grammy lifetime Achievement Award. On April 8, 1993 Marian Anderson died in Portland, Oregon.