Black History Special Review: Marian Anderson - A Song Of Dignity and Grace

To commemorate the Black History Month Celebration(U.K) throughout October, We'll be bringing you an inspirational review of some believers, almost forgotten, and yet plausible world changers in documentary-style format.
We'll start off with Marian Anderson the legendary contralto singer.
Unarguably one of opera music's most celebrated singers of the twentieth century. Her resilience and humility elevated her to the level where she rubbed shoulders with, and received commendations from world renowned impresarios,conductors,and classical giants.

Where legendary conductor like Arturo Toscanini, could openly utter a complementary praise “Yours is a voice such as one hears only once in a hundred years” -referring to Marian Anderson. It goes to show how impactful her songs touched the listeners!

With well over half-a-century number of unforgettable performances in concert and recital in major music venues and with major orchestras throughout the United States,across the Atlantic while she schooled in London, U.K. She also toured Europe,and stretched to as far as Russia and beyond. Marian performed at such concerts with such grace,dignifying charm and dolcé artistry. Everything she sang echoed her faith,her passion, and displays her unwavering love of Art. But most of all her songs were classically laced in her genesis: Negro spirituals!
But her worldwide acclaim never came without her fair share of struggle, disappointments,tragedy,poverty,pain,racial-stereotyping and lots of hurdles. Such Obstacles bordering around social-inclusion issues, which most people of color and indeed most African-Americans have had to endure since the post-slavery era. Since losing her father, and grandfather in quick succession, she and her sisters were heavily influenced by their mother. She taught them value and focus. And of course, the Church was one of the hallmarks of Marian's life. Particularly her native childhood church, the Union Baptist Church, Philadelphia -where she was greatly loved and looked after since the demise of her father. This church community were always on hand to stand by her through the thick and thin of things!

Join Day of Discovery as they take a closer look at the life and times of Marian. How she over the racial barriers of her time. Listen to inspirational interviews with family members and friends, including her own voice discussing her legacy.


Eventually Marian became an important figure in the struggle for black artists to overcome racial prejudice in the United States during the mid twentieth century. In 1939, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) refused permission for Anderson to sing to an integrated audience in Constitution Hall because of her race. This racially fuelled refusal propelled Anderson into the foreground of the international community on a level usually only found by high profile celebrities and politicians. A typical case of when one window shuts against a believer, God will fling open a gate! With the aid of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Anderson performed awesomely at an open-air concert on Easter Sunday, in 1939 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. to a crowd of more than 75,000 people, with millions of radio audiences. Like the Sandra Bullock's Oscar winning performance in the Blind Side which mirrored how racial barriers can be broken without any air of aggravation; Marian was such a silent fighter. Contrary to other confrontational ideologies, her golden silence opened real doors for the black citizens and effectively bridged barriers. Marian Anderson excelled as a goodwill Ambassadress for the United States on its peace missions abroad.
This nonagenarian,entered the record books notably as the first black person, to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on January 7, 1955.

She was a Christian to the core and exemplified in most of her repertoire.
Like Marian Anderson,we too can change the world in our own little way, especially with whatever Talent(s) the Lord has endowed Us.

And she ends and I quote: "I always bear in mind that my mission is to leave behind me the kind of impression that will make it easier for those who follow."-Marian Anderson.

:GET THE DVD HERE.