One of the most celebrated singers in the twentieth century, Marian Anderson became an important figure in the struggle for black artists to overcome racial prejudice in the United States. Virginia Opera celebrates Ms. Anderson’s incredible journey with a newly commissioned program about her rise to a pre-eminent spot among the world's concert artists in spite of racial attitudes of the times, which she met with courage, grace and determination. Major milestones depicted include her debut with the New York Philharmonic at age 28; her meeting with composer Jean Sibelius on her first European concert tour; the cancellation of her performance at Washington's Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the subsequent historic concert given at the Lincoln Memorial; and her ground-breaking appearance as the first African-American artist to sing with the Metropolitan Opera. Musical selections performed include excerpts from the repertoire associated with Anderson's career, including spirituals and patriotic songs as well as music by Bach, Donizetti, Sibelius, Verdi and others.