The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-04-10


 Now her glorious voice is known to all the world, much of which she herself has traversed, and royalty and commoners alike have risen to applaud her singing.
 Her father died when she was very young. Her mother did maids housework by day and took in washing by night to feed and clothe and house her small brood. There were three girls and Marian was the middle" one, the one gifted with a natural ability to sing-and to play the piano al- most instinctively. Anna Anderson, the mother, used to scrub the neighbor's wash and listen to her daughters warbling. Or she would form a duet and sing Negro spirituals with her girl, and so the household was filled with music.
 Once Marian had a yearning to become a violiniSt. She saved three dollars over nearly a years time and bought decaying fiddle at the pawnshop. She played it until she resolved that her voice yielded even more satisfying music than the strings.
 FIRST OPPORTUNITY
 When she was six years old, her mother already had placed her in the church choir. When she was eight, the deacon charged money for people to hear her, billing her as the "Ten-Year-Old Contralto!" This money reverted to Marian and her mother, to ease their burden. And soon Marian was giving many such concerts" with earnings reaching almost as high as five dollars.
 Her deliverer from South Phil adelphia was the head of the high school where Marian had studied upon her mothers insistence as opposed to Marians desire to go to work and contribute to the family larder. The principal took her to. a renowned singer who brought her to the famous voice coach, Giuseppe Bo9hetti. And in the next three years followed the most arduous days of her life; days of constant toll and practice and poverty. An occasional con- cert here and there, arranged by her teacher, provided her with a paltry few dollars. Once she won a $40 schlarship. She lived on 1t for many months, making the pennies count in her almost hope less penury.
 MAKING GOOD
 She won a contest among 8 group of soloists with the Phil harmonic orchestra. It was the first real ray of sunshine of her life. Three years later, she gave Carnegie Hall recital. It brought a musical scholarship which gave her passage and a year in Europe to study. Thus nine years ago, the Philadelphian Negress sailed for Germany where she continued her voice lessons with eminent teachers and met Kosti Vehanen, 8 Finn, who became her piano accompanist. He still is.
 Vehanen urged her to travel through other countries and give concerts, because he was convinc- ed that her rich, matchless voice was ready to be heard.
 So she went along. First back to America for short stay. Then back to Europe for two years. Paris went wild. London, Moscow, Ber- lin, Vienna-everywhere she went and sang-she was acclaimed as the most remarkable voice of this generation. Finally, Arturo Tos- canni pinned the accolade upon her when he termed her "the greatest singer" he had heard.
 Since 1884, she has given more concerts on this or the other side of the Atlantic than she can re- member. Every night of the year, save the fourteen she reserves for her vacation, is devoted to sing ing. So will the nights of at least the next three years, for she is solidly booked into concert halls during all that time.
 Her home is on s. Martin Street, South Philadelphia the house where she spent her girl- hood. She bought and remOdelled it as she was able to afford it. Her mother lives there with more of her kin. She is not married. declaring that it is always easier to get husband than to get rid of one." She doesn't smoke or drink, but she plays bridge or sews for relaxation.
 She closes her eyes when she is singing at a concert, for facing crowds still make her nervous, thoiloh she's already faced agree.