Program and Signed Autograph Booklet

Oversize souvenir program from Anderson's 1954 tour, signed on the visually striking cover by both Anderson and her accompanist Franz Rupp, text including a profile of Anderson written by the music editor of the Saturday Review, photographs of Anderson at home, sheet music for an arrangement of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," and more.  Together with an unsigned program for her February 2, 1954 appearance at Kiel Auditorium Opera House in New York City, the performance including a selection of songs from Bach and Schubert; "Mon Coeur s'ouvre a ta voix" from Samson and Delila; a selection of songs by Tchaikowsky, Dvorak, Britten, and Quilter; and a section of "Negro Spirituals."  Booklet has light wear along spin and spotting to front and back cover, else fine,9 x 12 inches (22.9 x 30.5 cm.).  Program in fine condition, 6 x 9 inches (15.2 x 22.9 cm.).

Anderson was a great favorite of Toscanini and, in 1955, broke the color barrier by becoming the first African-American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera. She remains a legendary figure in the history of opera, remembered for, among other highlights, her Lincoln Memorial concert and her performances at the inaugurations of both Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy. (18478)

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Opera

Signed Document/Item

Ephemera

• Sold