1931 Marian Anderson at Swarthmore

After singing on campus the previous year in a visit sponsored by the Somerville Literary Society, the celebrated contralto returned to campus for a concert in Clothier Hall.

"The program opened with a rendition of Dunhill's 'To the Queen of Heaven,' Bononcini's 'Per la gloria d'adoravi,' 'Spirate pur, Spirate' by Donaudy, and 'Alleluja' by Mozart. The next group included Liszt's 'Die drei Zigeuner,' which allowed the singer's range of low, rich, minor tones full expression, also 'In Liebeslust' by Liszt, and 'Vom Monte Pincio' and 'Zur Johannisnach' by Grieg. The audience was taken by surprise by the high trills of the next selections from the opera "La Favorita," by Donizetti. The soprano, almost coloratura, capacities of the contralto, were amazing and the listeners showed their admiration by much applause."

-The Phoenix, 1931