Jessye Norman is one of the most titled opera singers in the world. Her soprano and mezzo-soprano - conquered more than one million music lovers around the world. The singer performed at the presidential inaugurations of Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, and was also remembered by fans for her tireless vitality. Critics called Norman the "Black Panther", and "fans" simply idolized the black performer. The voice of multiple Grammy winner Jesse Norman has long been recognized as unique.
Reference: Mezzo-soprano in the Italian school is called a voice that opens up a third below the dramatic soprano.
Childhood and youth of Jessye Norman
The artist's date of birth is September 15, 1945. She was born in Augusta, Georgia. Jessie was brought up in a large family. The Normans respected music - they listened to it often, a lot and "eagerly".
All members of the large family were amateur musicians. Mother and grandmother worked as musicians, and father sang in the church choir. Brothers and sisters also learned to play musical instruments early. This fate did not bypass the fragile Jessie Norman.
She attended Charles T. Walker Elementary School. From early childhood, her main passion was singing. Since the age of seven, Jesse has been participating in various musical and creative competitions. Repeatedly from such events, she returns with a victory in her hands.
At the age of 9, caring parents gave their daughter a radio. She loved to listen to the classics that came out every Saturday thanks to the Metropolitan Opera. Jessie took great pleasure in the voices of Marian Anderson and Leontyn Price. In a more mature interview, she will say that it was they who inspired her to start her singing career.
Education Jesse Norman
She took voice lessons from Rosa Harris Sanders Crack. Somewhat later, Norman studied at the Interlochen School of Arts under the opera performance program. Jessie worked hard and developed. The teacher as one predicted a good musical future for her.
In her youth, she became a participant in the prestigious Marian Anderson competition, which was held in Finland. Despite the fact that Jessie did not take first place - she appeared at the right time in the right place.
Participation in a music competition led to an offer of a full scholarship at Howard University. She continued to hone her vocal skills under Caroline Grant. In the mid-60s of the last century, a talented girl became part of Gamma Sigma Sigma.
A year later, along with other students and four female teachers, she became the founder of the Delta Nu chapter of the musical fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota. After graduating from the School of the Arts, Jess entered the Peabody Conservatory. Next, she was waiting for the school of music, theater and dance at the University of Michigan. At the end of the 60s, she graduated with honors from an educational institution.
The creative path of Jessye Norman
In the 70s she appeared on the stage of La Scala. Jesse's performance was warmly received by the local audience. Subsequently, she will repeatedly perform on the stage of the opera house in Milan.
Further concert activity awaited Norman and her fans. Jessie traveled to different parts of the world to delight music lovers with her amazing voice.
By the way, Jessie Norman has always taken her person seriously. Her concert contract contained as many as 86 points, which were called up from all sorts of unwanted accidents with the artist.
For example, the premises before rehearsals and concerts must be in perfect condition - cleaned and washed. The performer can sing only in a specially humidified room, the air must be clean and fresh. The use of air conditioners in the rehearsal room is excluded.
Only in the 80s of the last century, she again returned to the stage of opera houses. A few years later, Jessie made her debut on the American opera stage. By the way, before that, the artist delighted her compatriots only by singing at concert venues.
In 1983, she finally entered the stage of the Metropolitan Opera. In Berlioz's dilogy Les Troyens, Placido Domingo himself sang along with her. The theatrical performance was a great success. The warm reception of the audience motivated the opera diva.
Before the XNUMXs, she was one of the highest paid opera singers in the world. She had her own refined taste for music and an interesting presentation of the material.
During their active creative activity, they recorded several records of spirituals, as well as popular musical works in English and French.
The work of an opera singer in the "zero"
In the early 2001s, Jesse, along with Kathleen Battle, performed Mythodea, the music for the NASA mission: XNUMX Mars Odyssey. A year later, she recorded the patriotic piece America the Beautiful.
She continued to work hard, perform on stage, record immortal compositions. Then for a while she disappeared from the view of the fans.
Only in 2012 did the opera singer break her silence. She presented the fans with a truly amazing and noteworthy album. Jessie's record is dedicated to classical jazz, gospel, soul. Norman's album was titled Roots: My Life, My Song.
The compilation was topped by tracks like Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Stormy Weather and Mack the Knife, gospel and jazz mixes. By the way, the opinion of critics regarding the record turned out to be ambiguous. But, true fans, the cool reception of the experts was of little concern.
Interesting facts about the opera singer
- The performer was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
- Norman received an honorary doctorate in music from Oxford.
- The opera singer had a voice range from high soprano to contralto.
- She was a true fan of romance novels.
Jesse Norman: details of his personal life
She never talked about her personal life. The singer was not officially married. Alas, she left no heirs behind. Norman said that the most important thing for her is service to music.
Death of Jessie Norman
In 2015, she suffered a spinal cord injury. This was followed by a long treatment. She passed away on September 30, 2019. The cause of death was septic shock and multiple organ failure. They were caused by complications of a spinal cord injury.
Interestingly, in the last years of her life, she practically did not sing on the stage of opera houses. Jessie occasionally delighted fans of her work by appearing at concert venues. It's all about the injury.
In the last years of her life, she focused on active social work. The artist devoted herself entirely to young and talented singers, musicians, and artists. She has repeatedly organized festive events in honor of the cultural heritage of her native country.
Norman was a member of several charitable foundations, and also did not forget her native Augusta - there, under her wing, there was a college and the city Opera Association.
