Original Recordings 1930-1947Perhaps best known as the first black singer to perform with the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York in 1955, Marian Anderson’s vocal talents were first spotted at the age of six, when she sang in the Union Baptist Church Choir in South Philadelphia. Recognising her unusual talents, the members of the Union Baptist Church raised money to help fund private singing lessons for Marian, who went on to win a major singing contest, and the chance to sing with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. The recordings found on this disc were made at a time when the opportunities of African-Americans were very limited, and Anderson had to work hard to be accepted as a serious artist. During her professional singing career she was considered the world’s greatest contralto, and this remarkable skill is evident from the collection of songs on this disc.