Voice of a Century

From the New York Times’s former chief classical music critic, a tribute to one of the great singers of modern times and a national treasure who broke racial barriers

The night before Marian Anderson performed her historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial, she called her manager with grave doubts. What had started as a plan to sing a recital in Washington’s largest concert hall had turned, she feared, into a protest rally after she was barred from appearing on the venue’s whites-only stage. The next day a crowd of seventy-five thousand flocked there to see her perform on Easter Sunday, 1939, before the monument of freedom itself. This was a major triumph for racial justice, but Anderson worried it would overshadow the rest of her inimitable career.

In this rich new portrait, Anthony Tommasini brings his decades of musical expertise to bear upon Anderson’s artistry, the journey of her life, and conversations about her legacy. After her breakout early performances in Europe, she gripped international audiences with her masterful renditions of Handel arias, German lieder, Scandinavian songs, and Negro spirituals: bold programming for her time. But recognition was harder to achieve at home. Though celebrated for her rich, lustrous voice and insightful artistry, Anderson had to contend with hotels and restaurants that turned her away in the very cities where she appeared in concert to acclaim. These tribulations brought forth memorable shows of goodwill—Eleanor Roosevelt fought the Daughters of the American Revolution in her honor; Albert Einstein housed her in Princeton—but were representative of the fierce racism Anderson faced. Still, she became one of the most respected and successful artists of her time and famously broke the color barrier for singers at the Metropolitan Opera in 1955.

As Arturo Toscanini famously said after attending one of Anderson's performances: “What I heard today one is privileged to hear only once in a hundred years.” Now, we get to experience this again, in the context of Anderson’s dignified leadership, authenticity, and majestic presence.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

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Trade Paperback (TP)

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• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
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The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs