Reflecting on a legacy

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Gathering inside Tindley Temple United Methodist Church a community joined together to celebrate the 70th anniversary of opera icon Marian Anderson’s historical Easter Sunday performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It also was a chance to look back on the local legend’s legacy.

Dr. Beatrice A. Moore frequents Anderson’s former home at 762 S. Martin St. and has attended the Easter festivities at the church at 762 S. Broad St. for the past five years or so.

"She has such a legacy, a legacy for the ages," the Mount Airy resident said of Anderson. "She has inspired our young singers today. She really broke down the barriers."

April 9, 1939, Anderson performed in front of 75,000 people in Washington, D.C., after the Daughters of the American Revolution denied the singer from performing at Constitution Hall because of the color of her skin. Then-first lady Eleanor Roosevelt resigned her membership from the organization in protest and President Franklin D. Roosevelt, along with the Department of the Interior Secretary Harold Ickes, organized the historic outdoor showcase.

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"The significance is that she drew the largest audience ever in America without one incident," Phyllis Sims, Marian Anderson Historical Society curator, said, adding millions more heard the performance via radio.

Every year, the historical society, a nonprofit that mentors classical singers in addition to restoring Anderson’s birthplace and former residence, celebrates the contralto’s birthday (including her 112th in February) and Easter Sunday. The latter has been celebrated for almost a decade with a tribute concert to Anderson’s legacy, Blanche Burton-Lyles, Marian Anderson Historical Society founder, said.

"Even today, the fact that it’s celebrated in Washington, D.C., and here and it’s most important to us here because this is her hometown where she grew up," she said.

The concert featured five Marian Anderson scholars who are aspiring classical and opera singers the society invites to join the program. Baritone Jason Coffey, tenor Joshua Stewart and sopranos Kristin Young, Elisabeth Stevens and Karen Slack each sang an aria and a religious piece accompanied by Tim Ribchester on piano. Burton-Lyles took over the keys for all to join in on an Anderson signature song, "He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands."

Marian Anderson scholars, from left, Joshua Stewart, Jason Coffey and Karen Slack, concluded the program by singing "He’s Got the Whole World in his Hands." Photo by Dashiell Davis

Stevens, who joined the program after completing a master class, is inspired by Anderson. She attributes her ability to study, travel and perform to the legend.

"If that moment had not have happened, you have to wonder if you would be standing here now," the Cleveland, Ohio, native who resides in Germantown said of the famed Lincoln Memorial concert.

Young, of Mount Airy, looks at Anderson as proof dreams are possible with perseverance.

"She laid a path for any aspiring African-American musician — classical or opera singer," she said. "Her success gives us many opportunities."

The event drew admirers from West Philly to Norristown who wanted to take part in the legacy’s tribute. The hour-and-a-half program concluded with a reception in the church’s basement for all of the guests.

Anderson’s impact was "like an avalanche," Argentine Deigh of Norristown said.

"It opened a lot of eyes," Deigh said of the ’39 performance. "It probably opened minds a little. It was a crack. It started something. Her performance was the beginning of a long process of things."

Elbert Williams of West Philadelphia personally relates to Anderson’s performance and what its long-term impact has meant.

"I thought she was a wonderful person, especially coming along at the time she did," he said. "I’m 91 myself, so I know what she went through, so I’m glad to see there’s change."

Burton-Lyles’ mother played the piano at Union Baptist Church, Fitzwater and Martin streets, where Anderson sang in the choir. The younger Burton-Lyles would perform for guests at Anderson’s home following the contralto’s concerts at the Academy of Music. The ’91 Grammy recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award took an interest in her student, even encouraging her to enroll at the Curtis Institute of Music at age 7.

Born in 1897, Anderson set an example for future musicians by breaking racial barriers, performing with the New York Philharmonic, as well as the New York Metropolitan Opera, and she graced the stages of Carnegie Hall and even Constitution Hall three years after her denial. Some seven decades later, Anderson’s lifework still serves as inspiration.

"She realized the enormity of it because she was like the catalyst," Burton-Lyles said. "I call her the angel at the dawn of human rights as opposed to civil rights, which was Dr. [Martin Luther] King and Rosa Parks.

"But Marian Anderson was for the humanitarian aspect, which opened the door for many, many singers and women in particular."