On this day, Roland Hayes, a groundbreaking African American tenor, became the first Black soloist to perform at Boston’s Symphony Hall to widespread acclaim. Although he had given a performance at the venue in 1917 that received little public attention, his 1923 return was triumphant, earning him critical praise and establishing him as one of the world’s foremost classical vocalists. Hayes went on to perform across Europe and the U.S., breaking racial barriers in the world of classical music.
© 2025 KnowThyHistory.com. Know Thy History
