필라델피아 버라이존홀에서 마리안앤더슨홀로 개명 

6월 8일 오드라 맥도날드, 앤젤 블루, 마커스 로버츠 출연 콘서트

마리안 앤더슨 Photo: PBS

필라델피아 오케스트라가 6월 8일자로 상설 공연장인 킴멜센터(Kimmerl Center)의 버라이존 홀(Verizon Hall)을 오페라 가수 의 이름을 따서 마리안앤더슨홀(Marian Anderson Hall)로 개명한다고 2월 28일 밝혔다. 마리안 앤더슨의 127회 생일(2/27) 다음날에 발표한 것이다.  

필라델피아 출신 마리안 앤더슨(Marian Anderson, 1897-1993)은 콘트랄토(contralto)로 1939년 워싱턴 DC의 백인 전용 공연장인 컨스티튜션홀(DAR Constitution Hall)에서 노래하는 것을 거부당했다. 그러나, 영부인 엘리노어 루즈벨트와 프랭클린 D. 루즈벨트 대통령의 도움으로 1939년 4월 9일 부활절 일요일에 DC의 링컨메모리얼 계단에 올라 7만5천여명의 군중과 라디오 청중 앞에서 노래를 불렀다. 이 야외 콘서트는 다큐멘터리 영화 'Marian Anderson: The Lincoln Memorial Concert'로 제작됐다. 

1936년 2월 오랜 우정을 지속했던 마리안 앤더슨과 영부인 엘리노어 루즈벨트. Photo: PBS

마리안 앤더슨은 1928년 카네기홀에서 콘서트를 열었으며, 1955년 1월 60세에 뉴욕 메트로폴리탄 오페라 '가면 무도회'에서 울리카 역으로 무대에 오른 흑인 최초의 성악가로 기록됐다. 이후 UN 인권의원회 대표단, 미 국무부 친선대사로 세계에서 콘서트를 열었으며, 1960년대엔 민권운동에 참가했다. 1963년 대통령 자유메달(Presidential Medal of Freedom)을 비롯, 의회 금메달(Congressional Gold Medal, 1977), 케네디센터 명예상(Kennedy Center Honors, 1978), 국립예술메달(National Medal of Arts, 1986), 그리고 1991년엔 그래미상 평생공로상을 수상했다. 

앤더슨은 1915년 처음 만난 백인 건축가 올페우스 피셔와 24년 후인 1939년 결혼, 커네티컷주 댄버리에 100에이커의 농장을 구입, 마리아나 농장이라 명명해 살았다. 1986년 남편 사망 후 지휘자인 조카가 사는 오리건으로 이주해 살다가 울혈성 심부전으로 96세에 세상을 떠났다. 

2023년 1월 21일 피아니스트 조성진과 필라델피아오케스트라의 협연. Photo: Sukie Park/NYCultureBeat

1900년 창설된 필라델피아오케스트라는 뉴욕필하모닉, 보스턴심포니오케스트라, 시카고심포니오케스트라, 클리블랜드오케스트라와 함께 미국의 'Big Five'로 꼽힌다. 레오폴트 스토코프스키(leopold Stokowski, 1912-1938), 유진 오르만디(Eugene Ormandy, 1936-1980), 리카르도 무티(Riccardo Muti, 1980-92), 샤를르 뒤투아(Charles Cutoit, 2008-12)에 이어 야닉 네제-세갱이 이끌어 왔다. 오케스트라엔 악장 데이빗 김(David Kim)과 제1 부악장 줄리엣 강(Juliette Kang), 부악장 크리스틴 림(Christine Lim)을 비롯, 바이올린부에 다니엘 한(Daniel Han), 김정인(Jeong-Yin Kim), 수석 비올리스트 장충진(Choong-jin Chang), 마빈 문(Marvin Moon) 등 한인 연주자들이 포진하고 있다. 카네기홀과 사라토가 스프링스(NY)에서 주기로 공연을 한다. 

The Philadelphia Orchestra to Rename Its Home

at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

MARIAN ANDERSON HALL

in Honor of the Legendary Contralto, Civil Rights Icon,

and Philadelphian

First major concert venue in the world to honor Marian Anderson

Hall rededication to take place 85 years after Anderson was barred from performing at Constitution Hall

because of her race

Visionary $25 million gift in Anderson’s honor given by Richard Worley and Leslie Miller

Marian Anderson Hall to open with gala and concert featuring

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin

with Audra McDonald, Angel Blue, and Marcus Roberts

June 8, 2024

Marian Anderson endowed scholarship to be awarded to performing arts students

in partnership with the United Negro College Fund

Verizon Hall, 2021  Photo: Sukie Park/NYCultureBeat

(Philadelphia, February 28, 2024)—Philadelphia Orchestra President and CEO Matías Tarnopolsky and Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin announced today that Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts will be rededicated as Marian Anderson Hall in honor of the legendary contralto, civil rights icon, and Philadelphian. Announced the day after what would have been Anderson’s 127th birthday, the news marks the first major concert venue in the world to honor the late performer and trailblazer. Located in the heart of her hometown of Philadelphia, Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts will be a permanent monument to its namesake’s artistry and achievements, a reflection of the inclusive future she helped to engender, and an active testament to the intersection of music, art, and positive social impact. The Hall—home of The Philadelphia Orchestra—will officially be rededicated on June 8, 2024, and celebrated during the Great Stages Gala and concert that evening, featuring Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra with actress and singer Audra McDonald, soprano Angel Blue, jazz pianist Marcus Roberts, and more to be announced at a later date. A complete media kit about Marian Anderson Hall can be found here.

In addition to The Philadelphia Orchestra, also appearing in Marian Anderson Hall will be Resident Companies, Ensemble Arts Philly presentations, and performing arts groups from around the world. 

The dedication of Marian Anderson Hall was named in her honor by a visionary $25 million philanthropic gift from Richard Worley and Leslie Miller. Worley has been a member of The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Board of Trustees since 1997 and served as chair from 2009–2019. Miller is a former Kimmel Center trustee and previous acting president of the Kimmel Center. With this commitment, they are among the largest donors in Philadelphia Orchestra history.  

Additional generous support for Marian Anderson Hall was given by Sidney and Caroline Kimmel.

“The legacy of Philadelphia native Marian Anderson is inscribed in the modern history of civil rights in America, and in musical history—from the prejudiced rejection of her artistry to the knowledge that she was one of the greatest voices of the 20th century,” said Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. “Because she was denied the right to sing, Americans were denied the right to hear her extraordinary gifts. For years, The Philadelphia Orchestra and I have dedicated ourselves to creating a more representative art form through the music we perform. Now, we are proud to take this even further, to honor Marian Anderson with the first major concert venue named in her honor—and one of only a few in the world named for an artist—and we will perform with the joy of her ongoing presence in Marian Anderson Hall.”

“History cannot be rewritten, but there are many ways that music and the musical world can serve to right historic wrongs,” said President and CEO Matías Tarnopolsky. “The rededication of the home of The Philadelphia Orchestra is the crescendo of one history lesson—and it will be a celebration in perpetuity of a great Black American artist. Now, this great Orchestra’s musical history continues in Marian Anderson Hall, as we forge a bright, inclusive artistic future in which music is for everyone. Our heartfelt thanks and appreciation go to Richard Worley and Leslie Miller for their leadership in this vision of the future.”

“Marian Anderson was an outstanding artist, a champion of modern civil rights, and a true Philadelphian,” said Richard Worley and Leslie Miller. “She was an inspiration, not only because of her enormous talent but also because of the courage and grace with which she battled a lifetime of discrimination. The city owes her recognition and thanks. There is no better way to celebrate and commemorate her than by dedicating the concert hall of The Philadelphia Orchestra in her honor—an act long overdue. The permanent inscription of her name on this space will ensure that she receives the ongoing appreciation and affection of Philadelphia, its citizenry, and all who visit in the years to come. We are pleased to have helped make this vision a reality.”

“Philadelphia is known as a city of firsts that have helped to shape American history,” said Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania Austin Davis. “I am honored to celebrate another important milestone as we reflect on the remarkable contributions of Marian Anderson to the City of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the nation, and the world. Her legacy and impact are immeasurable, and I applaud the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts team for recognizing her in this most meaningful way.”

“I am deeply moved by The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts's decision to rename its concert hall after the legendary Marian Anderson,” said Mayor of Philadelphia Cherelle Parker. “This is a testament to Ms. Anderson's enduring legacy, the values she stood for, and her remarkable contributions to music and the civil rights movement here in Philadelphia and the world. May Marian Anderson Hall and every performance that happens there be a constant reminder of the power of art to inspire and unite us all!”

"I am delighted that The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts are honoring Aunt Marian with the first major American concert hall in her name,” said Ginette DePreist. “This is a wonderful moment for her family, and for all those who love and admire her. To have this permanent celebration of her artistry, achievements, and positive, inclusive message in the middle of her hometown is deeply moving and encouraging."

As part of the rededication, The Philadelphia Orchestra is partnering with the UNCF (United Negro College Fund) on the creation of a Marian Anderson endowed scholarship, to be awarded each year to two Black students from the Philadelphia region studying the performing arts or pursuing a career in performing arts administration at schools throughout the country.

“I am particularly honored to be part of this amazing partnership between The Philadelphia Orchestra and UNCF,” said Richard Lee Snow, regional development director, UNCF Mid-Atlantic region. “While UNCF has helped over 500,000 students get to and through school since its founding 80 years ago, to be able to assist students under the banner of one of this country’s greatest citizens is the perfect way to celebrate our historic year. UNCF Philadelphia is privileged to have such an outstanding partner that shares its vision of helping students with their educational aspirations. This scholarship will certainly make a difference in the lives of students.”

Born in Philadelphia on February 27, 1897, Marian Anderson was an acclaimed contralto who performed a wide range of music, from opera to spirituals, with renowned orchestras in major concert and recital venues throughout the United States and Europe between 1925 and 1965. Over 20 years, between 1937 and 1957, she sang 12 times with The Philadelphia Orchestra. After her retirement from singing in 1965, she joined the Orchestra to narrate Aaron Copland’s A Lincoln Portrait several times at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, New York, and at the Robin Hood Dell in Philadelphia, the last time in 1976, with the composer conducting. An important figure in the struggle for Black artists to overcome racial prejudice, Anderson was denied the opportunity to sing at Constitution Hall in Washington, DC, in 1939. She then performed a historic open-air concert on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, singing before a crowd of more than 75,000 people and a radio audience in the millions. On January 7, 1955, she became the first Black singer to perform a lead role at the Metropolitan Opera. She served as a delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Committee and as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United States Department of State, giving concerts around the world. Anderson received the first Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963, the Congressional Gold Medal in 1977, the Kennedy Center Honors in 1978, the National Medal of Arts in 1986, and a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991.

For more information and to donate to the Marian Anderson Hall rededication, please visit www.ensembleartsphilly.org/marianandersonhall.

2023년 1월 21일 피아니스트 조성진과 필라델피아오케스트라의 협연. Photo: Sukie Park/NYCultureBeat

Lead Supporters of the Marian Anderson Hall Rededication  

Richard Worley and Leslie Miller

Additional Support for the Marian Anderson Hall Rededication

Sidney and Caroline Kimmel

Lead Sponsors of the Great Stages Gala

John H. McFadden and Lisa D. Kabnick

Ralph and Beth Johnston Muller

Richard Worley and Leslie Miller

2024 Great Stages Gala Co-Chairs

Anne C. Ewers

Osagie and Losenge Imasogie

Sidney and Caroline Kimmel

Ralph and Beth Johnston Muller

Caroline B. Rogers

Michael D. Zisman

Honorary Chairs of the Marian Anderson Hall Rededication

Marin Alsop

Martina Arroyo

Christine Baranski

Jamie Bernstein

Robert W. Bogle

Joan Myers Brown

Joseph Conyers

Misty Copeland

Ginette DePreist

Jennifer DePreist

Ava DuVernay

Renard Edwards

Renée Fleming

Henry Louis Gates, Jr.   

Clive Gillinson

Denyce Graves

Chris Hyams

Sherrilyn Ifill

Nicole Jordan

Yo-Yo Ma

Wynton Marsalis

Audra McDonald

Bobby McFerrin

Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Leontyne Price

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Maura Roosevelt 

Nicholas Roosevelt

Booker Rowe

Robert F. Smith

Pierre Tourville  

John Williams