Murray State University
Marian Anderson: A Voice for the Seemingly Silent
Institution
Murray State University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Sonya Baker
Abstract
In 1955, the classical singer Marian Anderson was the first African-American to sing a lead role with the Metropolitan Opera. She was not only a pioneer for African-American singers, but also an advocate for composers of her time. During her performances, Anderson often sang contemporary works, particularly those of African-American composers, thus allowing the literature to become more mainstream. This poster, based on research completed at the Marian Anderson Collection in Philadelphia, explores those works inspired by and written for Anderson.
Marian Anderson: A Voice for the Seemingly Silent
In 1955, the classical singer Marian Anderson was the first African-American to sing a lead role with the Metropolitan Opera. She was not only a pioneer for African-American singers, but also an advocate for composers of her time. During her performances, Anderson often sang contemporary works, particularly those of African-American composers, thus allowing the literature to become more mainstream. This poster, based on research completed at the Marian Anderson Collection in Philadelphia, explores those works inspired by and written for Anderson.