Marian Anderson - Of Thee We Sing

In 1939 The Daughters of the American Revolution refused to let the world renowned contralto Marian Anderson perform at Constitution Hall, Washington's largest concert hall, because of the colour of her skin. The staging of the concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial made history and was a watershed moment in the history of civil rights. Bassoonist Linton Stephens, a member of Europe's first majority-Black, Asian and ethnically diverse Chineke! Orchestra, goes in search of Anderson’s legacy. Guided by mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves – a recipient of the Marian Anderson Award – he travels to Washington to visit the Lincoln Memorial.
In Philadelphia, Linton meets with CEO of the Marian Anderson Museum, Jillian Patricia Pirtle to discover more about Marian Anderson's life and reflects on her role as a symbol of the civil rights movement.

With contributions from historian, Dr Kira Thurmann, political advisor Allida Black and the New York Metropolitan Opera's Chief Diversity Officer, Marcia Sells

Produced by Calantha Bonnissent

Photo - Mezzo soprano Denyce Graves with presenter Linton Stephens on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC.