 On January 7, 1955, Anderson became the first African-American to perform with the Metropolitan Opera in New York.On that occasion, she sang the part of Ulrica in Giuseppe Verdi's "Un ballo in maschera" (opposite Zinka Milanov, then Herva Nelli, as Amelia) at the invitation of director Rudolf Bing.Anderson said later about the evening, "The curtain rose on the second scene and I was there on stage, mixing the witch's brew.