by Opera, Marian Anderson
[African American] [Opera] [Music] Marian Anderson archive of concert programs and original photographs. Archive of 8 pieces include 4 concert programs and 4 black and white silver gelatin press photographs from 1947-1959. Three of the four press release photographs have original publisher's articles pasted en verso or printed on the margins. Photographs measure mostly 8" x 10" and programs range from 5" x 8" - 9" x 12". The earliest program from University Artists Course season 1946-1947 was held at the University of Minnesota and features Marian Anderson as the main act alongside covers of Franz Schubert and "Negro Spiritualists". A S. Hurok program features Anderson as "America's Great Singer" and includes many black and white photographs of Anderson with her family, in performance, and meeting with producers. The 1950 program includes many pages about the singer's early life and career, as well as the many awards she's won. Another S. Hurok program from 1955 features much of the same type of content with varying photographs and stories. One photograph shows Anderson being awarded by Princess Takamatsu, honrorary vice president of the Japanese Red Cross, as she pins Anderson with a medal of merit and a special membership badge of the Japanese Red Cross in a Tokyo ceremony. The singer was honored after performing for charity for Japanese orphans in 1953. Another honorary moment was captured in a 1958 photograph of Anderson posed by a bust of herself sculpted by Napoleon Veloso Abueva at the headquarters of the American National Theatre and Academy. The bust was presented due to the work she had done touring the world for the president's Special International Program for Cultural Presentations. Another photo from 1959 shows Anderson receiving the Gimbel National Award by H.J. Grinsfelder, chairman of the selections committee. The awards were given annually to women in "recognition of outstanding service to humanity." Anderson continued to break barriers for Black artists throughout the United States up until her death in 1993. Minor edge wear to programs and some creasing to one photo. Overall very good condition. An important cultural archive of one of the foremost Black opera singers.
(Inventory #: 20902)