In 1947, Marian Anderson and the conductor, composer, and pianist Leonard Bernstein (1918– 1990) performed for nearly 20,000 spectators at the City University of New York’s Lewisohn Stadium.

The photographer Ruth Orkin, who had demonstrated an interest in capturing musicians at work, took multiple photographs of Anderson and Bernstein as they prepared for the concert. Bernstein had recently moved to New York City, where he had become a sensation after substituting for the ailing Bruno Walter as conductor of the New York Philharmonic. Critics celebrated Anderson’s performance, which included both arias and spirituals, and the audience clamored for five encores before she could leave the stage.

Lewisohn Stadium was located on a part of City College’s land that is now, mostly a parking lot and a large administrative and academic building.

“The New Harlem River Bridge” – 1888 Construction