Welcome to Marian Anderson at the Met: The 50th Anniversary It's been fifty years since Marian Anderson made her Metropolitan Opera Debut on January 7, 1955. Marian Anderson was one of the most important artists of the 20th century. Her stirring performances of lieder, operatic arias, and traditional spirituals inspired and enthralled audiences worldwide. She was also an important figure in the Civil Rights movement. From her famous Easter Sunday concert at the Lincoln Memorial to her historic integrated concerts in Florida and Texas, Marian's music broke down racial barriers and united people across color lines. Marian Anderson was also the first African-American singer to perform a principal role on The Met's stage. Her debut opened the doors of The Met to generations of incredible African-American artists like Mattiwilda Dobbs, Robert McFerrin, Leontyne Price, Shirley Verrett, George Shirley, Grace Bumbry, Martina Arroyo, Simon Estes, Jessye Norman, Kathleen Battle, Denyce Graves, and others. Throughout 2005, the Metropolitan Opera proudly commemorates the anniversary of her historic debut. This website celebrates Marian Anderson's life and groundbreaking career. We hope you enjoy our articles, photographs, sound clips, and links. Student and Teacher Resources On this website you'll also find resources for students and teachers, including Lesson Plans, a Timeline of Ms. Anderson's life and the times in which she lived, Background Information about her life, and Additional Resources for further learning and research.

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