Reviewing Marian Anderson

From the Armand Diaries,
April 1957:

Marian Anderson (whom I plugged for so hard last spring) came Monday, April 29. She's past her prime but still has great range, command and variation of volume. Her lovely face is as regal as ever, and so serene.

Her pianist, Franz Rupp, very capable.

Everything she did was good, but maybe best were aria Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix from Samson and Delilah and "Roll Jordan Roll". But all the Negro spirituals, splendid. Also, Schubert's Erlkonig, Der tod und das Madchen, Wohine and Standchen. Dvorak's Songs My Mother Taught Me.

Ann and Mary both went (I wrangled a ticket for Ann, who had a big day - just back from U. of Kentucky; it was day at school for her to take a pre-school age visitor, and she did, and a party at Peter Hicks' all in one day).

We went back stage to say hello after and get a program autographed - first time I've ever done such an act of "hommage." In all, a real experience, that concert.

Erlkonig by Marian Anderson, You Tube (04:00).
Der tod und das Madchen by Marian Anderson, You Tube (02:46).
Standchen by Marian Anderson, You Tube (04:20).


Image: AfricanAfrican.com