Norman, Jessye

Norman, Jessye, 1945–, American soprano, b. Augusta, Ga. Making her early reputation in Europe, Norman won the Munich competition in 1968, debuted in Tannhäuser in 1969 with the Berlin Opera, and was a great success as Aïda at Milan's La Scala and London's Covent Garden in 1972. She made her American debut in 1982 as Jocasta in Oedipus Rex and her Metropolitan Opera debut the following year as Cassandra in Les Troyens. A majestic diva and extremely successful recording artist, she is praised for her enormous vocal power, tonal warmth, and clarity of diction. One of the most acclaimed musical artists of the late 20th cent., Norman commands a broad operatic repertoire and also frequently performs concerts of lieder, spirituals, oratorios, and a variety of other works.

---

Norman, Jessye

(born Sept. 15, 1945, Augusta, Ga., U.S.) U.S. soprano. She won the Munich International Music Competition in 1968 and debuted in Berlin as Elisabeth in Tannhäuser (1969). She appeared at La Scala, Milan, in 1972 and made recital debuts in London and New York City the next year. Having garnered extraordinary praise for years, she made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Les Troyens in 1983, confirming her reputation as perhaps the greatest soprano of her generation. An imposing stage presence with a vibrant and flexible voice, her operatic and concert repertoire encompasses an exceptionally wide range.

---

Norman, Jessye (1945–  ) soprano; born in Augusta, Ga. After musical studies in America, she went to Europe, making her 1969 operatic debut in Berlin. She first appeared in America in 1972, in a concert performance of Aida at Hollywood Bowl; her debut at the Metropolitan Opera came in Les Troyens in 1983. She pursued regular concert work as well. She was widely admired for the opulent tone she brought to a repertoire ranging from Mozart to Wagner and African-American spirituals.