ANNE WIGGINS BROWN (1912-2009) was a radio and concert singer, also best known as “Bess” in the original production of George Gershwin’s folk opera Porgy and Bess in 1935.
From a well-to-do family in Baltimore, Maryland, Brown was obsessed with being a star at an early age. Her father, a surgeon, was the grandson of slaves, and her mother was a music lover who played the piano daily. She enrolled Anne in private schools, including the Peabody School of Music, where she constantly ran into racism. She later trained at Morgan State and the New Institute of Musical Art, now known as the Julliard School, where she was the first black vocalist to be admitted to the school.
Brown won the Margaret McGill Scholarship as the best singer at Julliard, which caught the attention of Gershwin. During her audition for him, he requested an unaccompanied rendition of the spiritual “City Called Heaven”. She considered the request racial stereotyping, but eventually did as she was asked. When she finished, he told her that it was the most beautiful spiritual he ever heard.
Brown was the first person he heard singing the part of Bess, and they worked closely on the project, not only rewriting act three to have her sing “Summertime”, but changing the title of the opera (it was initially named only Porgy). The premiere took place on October 10, 1935 at New York’s Alvin Theater and was a sophisticated musical treatment of poor blacks.
Following her appearance as Bess, she appeared in the Broadway play, Mamba’s Daughters, as well as in the film Rhapsody in Blue. She appeared in various revivals of Porgy and Bess, as well, and toured as a concert artist from 1942 to 1948 when she settled in Oslo, Norway, and became a Norwegian citizen. She continued working as a professional musician into the 1950s on productions like Menotti’s The Medium and The Telephone.
She said that she left the United States because of continued racial prejudice. In 1998, she explained to The New York Times:
“We tough girls tough it out. I’ve lived a strange kind of life—half black, half white, half isolated, half in the spotlight. Many things that I wanted as a young person for my career were denied to me because of my color. There is no place on earth without prejudice. In fact, a French journalist wrote an article during one of my tours there asking: ‘Why does she say she is colored? She’s as white as any singer. It’s just a trick to get people interested.’ Can you imagine? Of course I was advertised as ‘a Negro soprano.’ What is ‘a Negro soprano’?”
Brown later said she felt her singing was better received in Europe because she mainly sang works by European composers. In 1953, she was diagnosed with asthma, which ended her singing career. She, however, worked for several years as a teacher and also staged several operas in France and Norway.
In 1998, Brown received the George Peabody Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Music in America from the Peabody Institute.
She died March 13, at the age of 96. She is survived by her daughters Paula and Vaar Schjelderup; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
In the interview with The Times, Brown suggested she had been born 30 years too soon (referring to the fact that it wasn’t until 1955 that the Met featured a black singer, Marian Anderson):
“If I had been born even 20 years later I might have sung at the Metropolitan Opera. I might have marched for civil rights. I would have been here for that. I would certainly not have lived in Norway, and my life would have been very different. Of course, I would not have met Mr. Gershwin, and that would have been a shame.”
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Concrete Loop features ‘CL History Spotlights’ each week honoring individuals who have played pivotal roles in history. submissions are welcome.
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“There is no place on earth without prejudice” …so true, people face it in different ways and we have to be careful that we are not perpetrators of it
I hear that #1.
Is “Summertime” the song Fantasia sung on A Idol? I think it is just wondering
She accomplished a lot, very impressive indeed
@2-yes
very interesting. i look forward to these.
very interesting. i look forward to these! thanks cl
CL make me wonder with those history, not trying to start anything, I have been kind following yours spotlight history and most of the people I see in here are of mix race backgrounds, pay attention to the message, people think, as I said, not trying to start nothing, just stating what I notice…
PEACE
I understand what you are saying #7 (And Again) but I’m sure its just a coincidence. We all know that we’re not “all black” or “all white” somewhere along the line our races are intertwined. Alot of the people that are featured in these spotlights were born in the early part of the 1900s, not that long after slavery, and we know that many slaves and ladies of the houses had mixed babies. Like I said it probably just is a coincidence.
Imagine how many “white” entertainers/public officials etc. that aren’t “all white” and they know it….?
As a young black opera singer I am SO HAPPY AND PROUD that you have featured this pioneering women!
I’ve never heard of her. Thanks for spotlighting Mr. Dakar.
Baltimore stand up!
I appreciate how I can come to this site and not only hear about current black celebrity gossip/events, but also gain something that gives me insight on life and our history! I really enjoy this site, it is a guilty pleasure of mine! :0)
It is refreshing that you have these insightful features on your website; I enjoy the opportunity that you have provided to get to know people who I might not have otherwise ever been made aware of. Keep up the positive good work!
CL thanks for posting this story… It was very inspiring. Although her name was familar to me this story of her life was not. I love that you feature pieces that are unique, stories that some people may not already know…
@#7…
How do you think we have light-skinned African Americans?? Some of our ancestors were born of either slave-owners w/ slaves or freed Blacks who chose to date other races. I’m sure mixed people had it just as hard as darker brown people. Obviously, cuz even this wonderful woman left b/c of racism.
Very good.
#7 there is a reason we are African Americans and ALL have different skin tones, features, etc.. If you look at your OWN history you will find a mixed background as well. We had MANY pioneers in race relations who were of mixed race, Malcolm X being one of them. Anyway, I am glad CL spotlighted Mrs. brown. What a wonderful legacy she leaves behind!!
Once again Toot Toot, CL for the great post! RIP Ms. Brown.
RIP to my cousin Darryl!
good stuff!
Good work CL. This profile was well pieced together. I was ignorant on who Anne W Brown was till this history spotlight article, I appreciate the history lesson. CL, keep up the good job on informing us on our history, as well as, writing great journalistic profiles.
She was a pioneering woman-we lost another good one. Women w/ class and knowledge such as she had should hookup w/ the young folks of today and try to show them the ‘way’ to true success!
Excellent info on a lady who accomplished many successes in her life. I saw her picture before on Porgy and Bess pic, but had no idea about her life- thanks for sharing this incredible story.
Regardless of what late Mrs. Brown’s race is/was; she was a person (Woman 1st) who overcame obstacles & tasks of dealing with ignorance/fear (racism) of others. Who cares if she’s black, white, multi-racial or indifferent. I applaud this lady for bring her own touch to the original Porgy & Bess by adding her rendition of ‘Summertime’ to help spread ‘that’ message to people of the East Coast who wasn’t in touch with what was going on everyday in the South. She was a beautiful & exceptionally talented woman who accomplished MANY things & OPENED many doors for many people in the entertainment/theatrical business; nothing more, nothing less.
I never heard of this woman either, but I’m so glad I read this post. Thank you CL for posting something uplifting and positive. U think your own life is such a struggle until you read about people like this who had REAL struggles!! I love to start my day off reading about something so empowering
It’s unfortunate people are so color-struck. Most of my older family members from Toledo, and New Orleans look like this woman–and they are no less black than anyone other black person. I DO think that since they were closer to slavery, thats why their skin tones were lighter but who cares??!! Black folks come in ALL shades of white, brown, and black and everything in between! Thats what makes us beautiful and I seriously doubt that CL is only posting stories about light skinned/mixed folks!!! Come on now! It’s not that deep.
I really enjoy these history spotlights J…I always get my little sisters to read them so they can have role models other than the people they see on tv. Keep up the good work
Great Piece
She was beautiful…thanks CL!
This just shows that dark skinned individuals will always be treated differently than their counter parts the mixed/light skinned people. It will never end.
I love these history spotlights!!!
Wow, never heard of her. If I didn’t stop by at CL I wouldn’t even had known she passed away.
Good reporting.