Hyers Sisters facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hyers Sisters Anna Madah Hyers Emma Louise Hyers
Anna Madah Hyers dressed as 'Urlina' in the opera Urlina the African Princess (1879)
Background information
Genres	black musical theater.
Years active	1867–1920s

The Hyers Sisters, Anna Madah (born around 1855) and Emma Louise (born around 1857), were amazing singers. They were true pioneers in creating black musical theater.

These sisters, along with writers Joseph Bradford and Pauline Hopkins, made history. They created some of the very first full musical plays. These shows were special because they showed African Americans telling their own stories. They talked about the struggles of slavery and the joy of freedom. This was done without using the funny but often disrespectful style of minstrel comedy.

The Lives of the Hyers Sisters

Early Life and Training

The Hyers Sisters' father, Samuel B. Hyers, moved to Sacramento, California with their mother, Annie E. Hyers. This was after the exciting time of the Gold Rush.

Their father made sure his daughters got excellent training. They learned piano and singing from a German professor named Hugo Sank. Later, they studied with opera singer Josephine D'Ormy. Before becoming famous, they performed at private parties.

Professional Debut and Tours

The sisters made their first professional stage appearance on April 22, 1867. This happened at Sacramento’s Metropolitan Theater. Anna was a soprano, which means she sang very high notes. Emma was a contralto, singing lower notes.

Their father managed their careers. In 1871, they started their first big tour across the country. On August 12, 1871, they performed in Salt Lake City. Everyone loved their show!

Growing Fame and Impact

Newspapers praised the Hyers Sisters everywhere they went. The Daily Herald in St. Joseph, Missouri called them "a rare musical treat." They also received great reviews in Chicago, Cleveland, and New York City.

Their tour reached cities like Worcester and Springfield, Massachusetts. They also visited New Haven and Providence. Even Boston, a city known for being tough on new performers, welcomed them.

In 1872, they performed at the World's Peace Jubilee and International Musical Festival. This was a huge event. It was one of the first major musical shows in the country to include performers of different races.

Creating New Musicals

The Hyers Sisters didn't just sing; they also created their own shows. They performed Colored Aristocracy, written by Pauline Hopkins. Between the late 1870s and 1880s, they had at least six different shows.

They traveled with their own productions until the mid-1880s. They continued to perform on stage into the 1890s. Emma Louise passed away in 1901. However, Anna Madah kept touring with a show by John Isham.

The Hyers Sisters truly paved the way for black musical theater. Their work opened doors for many performers who came after them.