History of Jessye Norman in Timeline

Jessye Mae Norman was a celebrated American opera singer and recitalist known for her powerful and versatile voice, described as a "grand mansion of sound." She excelled in dramatic soprano roles but her repertoire extended beyond, encompassing works by composers such as Beethoven, Wagner, Berlioz, and Bartók. Her signature roles included Leonore, Sieglinde, Kundry, Cassandre, Didon, and Judith, showcasing her commanding stage presence in opera, concerts, and recitals. Her voice was praised for its wide range, expressive depth, and unexpected nuances.

September 15, 1945: Birth of Jessye Norman

Jessye Mae Norman was born on September 15, 1945.

1964: Gamma Sigma Sigma Membership

Jessye Norman became a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma in 1964.

1965: Sigma Alpha Iota Founding Member

In 1965, Jessye Norman became a founding member of the Delta Nu chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity.

1966: National Society of Arts and Letters Singing Competition Win

Jessye Norman won the National Society of Arts and Letters singing competition in 1966.

1967: Graduation from Howard University

Jessye Norman graduated from Howard University with a degree in music in 1967.

1968: Master's Degree from University of Michigan

In 1968, Jessye Norman earned a master's degree from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

1968: ARD International Music Competition and Deutsche Oper Berlin Contract

In 1968, Jessye Norman won the ARD International Music Competition and began a three-year contract with the Deutsche Oper Berlin, debuting as Elisabeth in Wagner's Tannhäuser.

1970: Performance in Handel's Deborah

In 1970, Jessye Norman performed the title role in Handel's Deborah in Florence.

1971: Performances in L'Africaine and Le nozze di Figaro

In 1971, Jessye Norman sang the role of Sélika in Meyerbeer's L'Africaine and Countess Almaviva in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro.

1972: Debut at La Scala and Covent Garden

Jessye Norman debuted at La Scala as Aida and at Covent Garden as Cassandra in 1972. She also performed Aida at the Hollywood Bowl.

1973: First New York City Recital

In 1973, Jessye Norman gave her first New York City recital at Lincoln Center.

1975: Move to London and Focus on Recitals

Jessye Norman moved to London in 1975 and concentrated on recitals for the next five years.

1976: North American Concert Tour

Jessye Norman toured North America extensively in 1976.

1977: North American Concert Tour

Jessye Norman toured North America extensively in 1977.

October 1980: Return to Operatic Stage

In October 1980, Jessye Norman returned to the operatic stage, performing the title role in Richard Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos at the Hamburg State Opera.

1982: US Operatic Debut

In 1982, Jessye Norman made her US operatic debut with the Opera Company of Philadelphia, performing as Jocasta and Dido.

September 26, 1983: Metropolitan Opera Debut

Jessye Norman made her Metropolitan Opera debut on September 26, 1983, portraying Cassandre in Berlioz's Les Troyens. The performance marked the opening night of the company's 100th-anniversary season.

1984: First Grammy Award Win

In 1984, Jessye Norman won her first Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Solo.

January 21, 1985: Reagan's Second Inauguration Performance

Jessye Norman performed "Simple Gifts" from Aaron Copland's Old American Songs at President Ronald Reagan's second inauguration on January 21, 1985.

1986: Performances for Reagan and Queen Elizabeth II

In 1986, Jessye Norman sang at Ronald Reagan's second inauguration and Queen Elizabeth II's 60th birthday celebration.

1986: Performance for Queen Elizabeth II and Strauss's Four Last Songs

In 1986, Norman sang "God Save the Queen" for Queen Elizabeth II's 60th birthday and performed Strauss's Four Last Songs with the Berlin Philharmonic during its U.S. tour.

1988: Poulenc's La voix humaine

In 1988, Jessye Norman performed a concert version of Poulenc's one-act opera, La voix humaine.

July 14, 1989: Performance of La Marseillaise

On July 14, 1989, Jessye Norman performed La Marseillaise in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution.

1989: Metropolitan Opera: Erwartung and Bluebeard's Castle; New York Philharmonic Opening Concert

In 1989, Norman performed in Erwartung and Bluebeard's Castle at the Metropolitan Opera and was a soloist at the New York Philharmonic's 148th season opening concert.

1989: Performance of La Marseillaise

On July 14, 1989, Jessye Norman sang La Marseillaise at the Place de la Concorde in Paris to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution.

1990: Appointment as UN Honorary Ambassador

In 1990, Jessye Norman was named an Honorary Ambassador to the United Nations by Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar.

1990: Tchaikovsky Gala, Alceste, and Spirituals

In 1990, Norman performed at the Tchaikovsky 150th Birthday Gala, played the title role in Gluck's Alceste at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and sang spirituals with Kathleen Battle.

1992: Saito Kinen Festival: Oedipus rex

Norman sang Jocasta in Stravinsky's Oedipus rex at the Saito Kinen Festival in 1992.

1994: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Funeral

Jessye Norman sang at the funeral of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1994.

1995: New York Philharmonic Gala

Norman was a soloist with the New York Philharmonic in a gala concert for the opening of their 153rd season in 1995.

1996: The Makropulos Affair at the Met

In 1996, Norman performed the title role in Janáček's The Makropulos Affair at the Metropolitan Opera.

1996: Performance at the 1996 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony

Jessye Norman performed at the opening ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

1996: 1996 Olympics Opening Ceremony

Norman sang "Faster, Higher, Stronger" at the 1996 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in Atlanta.

January 1997: Clinton's Second Inauguration

Jessye Norman sang at President Bill Clinton's second inauguration in January 1997.

1997: Performance at Bill Clinton's Second Inauguration

In 1997, Jessye Norman sang at Bill Clinton's second inauguration.

1998: Carnegie Hall Recital and Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde

In 1998, Norman performed a recital at Carnegie Hall featuring the music of Duke Ellington, and sang Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

1999: "How! Do! We! Do!" with Bill T. Jones

In 1999, Jessye Norman collaborated with Bill T. Jones on "How! Do! We! Do!" at Lincoln Center.

1999: Recital Tour including Tel Aviv

Norman's spring recital tour in 1999 included a performance in Tel Aviv.

2000: I Was Born in Love with You Album Release

Jessye Norman released the album I Was Born in Love with You, featuring the music of Michel Legrand, in 2000.

March 2001: Carnegie Hall Concert Series

Norman performed a three-part concert series at Carnegie Hall with James Levine in March 2001.

June 28, 2001: Mythodea Performance

On June 28, 2001, Jessye Norman and Kathleen Battle performed Vangelis's Mythodea at the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens, Greece.

September 11, 2001: September 11 Attacks

On September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks occurred in New York City. Jessye Norman later performed at a memorial service for the victims on March 11, 2002.

March 11, 2002: World Trade Center Memorial Performance

On March 11, 2002, Jessye Norman performed "America the Beautiful" at a memorial service for the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City. The service unveiled two monumental columns of light at the former World Trade Center site.

2002: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay Opening

Jessye Norman performed at the opening of Singapore's Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay in 2002.

2003: Jessye Norman School of the Arts Pilot Program

In 2003, Jessye Norman launched a pilot program for the Jessye Norman School of the Arts, a tuition-free performing arts program for economically disadvantaged children in Richmond County, Georgia. Classes began at St. John United Methodist Church.

November 2004: Documentary Release

In November 2004, a documentary about Jessye Norman's life and work, directed by André Heller with Othmar Schmiderer as director of photography, was released. The film explored her music, political, and social viewpoints.

2006: Collaboration with Trey McIntyre

In 2006, Jessye Norman collaborated with modern dance choreographer Trey McIntyre for a performance at the Vail Dance Festival.

March 2009: Honor! Festival

In March 2009, Jessye Norman curated Honor!, a festival celebrating African-American culture and honoring trailblazing artists. The festival featured concerts, recitals, lectures, and exhibitions at venues like Carnegie Hall, the Apollo Theater, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

March 2013: Ask Your Mama Performance

In March 2013, Jessye Norman starred in Ask Your Mama, a multimedia show based on Langston Hughes's work, at the Apollo Theater and Manhattan School of Music. The 90-minute performance was composed by Laura Karpman.

March 2014: Tribute to American Standards

In March 2014, Jessye Norman performed a recital of American standards, paying tribute to artists such as George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, and Ella Fitzgerald, at the Green Music Center Weill Hall in Rohnert Park, California.

May 6, 2014: Memoir Publication

Jessye Norman's memoir, "Stand Up Straight and Sing!", was published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on May 6, 2014.

2015: Carnegie Hall Performance with Mark Markham

In 2015, Jessye Norman and pianist Mark Markham performed at Carnegie Hall, presenting a program primarily featuring works by Gershwin, Kern, Rodgers and Hart, with additional art songs by Satie and Poulenc.

2015: Spinal Cord Injury

Jessye Norman suffered a spinal cord injury in 2015. This injury later contributed to complications leading to her death in 2019.

April 2018: Glenn Gould Prize

In April 2018, Jessye Norman received the Glenn Gould Prize, recognizing her significant contributions to opera and the arts. She was the 12th recipient of this prestigious award.

September 30, 2019: Death of Jessye Norman

Jessye Norman passed away on September 30, 2019.

November 24, 2019: Memorial Tribute at the Metropolitan Opera House

A gala tribute memorializing Jessye Norman was held at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City on November 24, 2019. The event featured speakers and performers such as Anna Deavere Smith, Gloria Steinem, Jack Lang, Eric Owens, The Dance Theatre of Harlem, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, among others.

September 2021: Legal Action Regarding 2015 Operation

In September 2021, Jessye Norman's brother initiated legal action alleging medical negligence against the doctors and hospital involved in a 2015 operation on Norman.