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Tenor Roland Hayes became the first African American male singer to earn an international reputation on the concert stage. Many, including the contralto Marian Anderson, considered him their mentor. After studying at Fisk University, Hayes trained in Boston, where he made his solo debut in 1917 with a recital of operatic arias, continental art songs, and Black spirituals. After touring with some success at home, he traveled to Europe in 1921 for a series of concerts that earned him glowing notices and marked a turning point in his career.
Back in the United States, Hayes was greeted with enthusiasm by concert audiences, who responded to the poignancy and emotional power of his singing. Hayes also continually pushed for integrated seating at his concerts, including here, in Washington, D.C. In 1931, he walked off the stage at Constitution Hall, refusing to perform—if temporarily—before a segregated audience.
Nacido en Curryville, Georgia
El tenor Roland Hayes fue el primer cantante afroamericano que se forjó una reputación internacional en las salas de conciertos. Muchos lo consideraron su mentor, entre ellos la contralto Marian Anderson. Luego de estudiar en la Universidad Fisk, Hayes continuó su instrucción en Boston, donde hizo su debut solista en 1917 con un recital de arias de ópera, canciones de arte y espirituales negros. Tras una gira de cierto éxito por Estados Unidos viajó a Europa en 1921 para ofrecer una serie de conciertos que le ganaron críticas entusiastas y marcaron un punto decisivo en su carrera.
De vuelta en EE.UU., Hayes fue recibido calurosamente por el público, que respondió al poder emotivo de su voz. Hayes insistía en que su público fuera racialmente integrado, incluso aquí en Washington D.C. En 1931 abandonó temporalmente el escenario del Constitution Hall para exigir que se desegregara la sala.