JESSYE NORMAN
Name: Jessye Norman
Born: 15 September 1945
Jessye Norman (born September 15, 1945) is a four time Grammy award winning
African American opera singer. Norman is one of the most admired contemporary
opera singers and recitalists, and is one of the highest paid performers in
classical music. A true dramatic soprano with a majestic stage presence,
Norman is associated in particular with the roles of Aida, Cassandre, Alceste,
and Leonora in Fidelio. Norman is known for the direct and emotionally
expressive qualities of her singing and for her formidable intellectual
understanding of the music and its style, as well as first-rate musicianship.
As a performer, she is known for her magnetic and dramatic personality, and,
with her imposing physical presence, cuts an impressive, "just enormous" figure
before audiences. According to Curt Sanburn in Life, Norman on stage creates the
perception of one who "veritably looms behind her lyrics." Norman's public
manner combines an apparent hauteur with flashes of disarming humor, putting her
squarely in the venerable operatic tradition of the Diva, to the extent that
many credit her as the inspiration for the title character in the 1981 French
film Diva.
Name: Jessye Norman
Born: 15 September 1945
Jessye Norman (born September 15, 1945) is a four time Grammy award winning
African American opera singer. Norman is one of the most admired contemporary
opera singers and recitalists, and is one of the highest paid performers in
classical music. A true dramatic soprano with a majestic stage presence,
Norman is associated in particular with the roles of Aida, Cassandre, Alceste,
and Leonora in Fidelio. Norman is known for the direct and emotionally
expressive qualities of her singing and for her formidable intellectual
understanding of the music and its style, as well as first-rate musicianship.
As a performer, she is known for her magnetic and dramatic personality, and,
with her imposing physical presence, cuts an impressive, "just enormous" figure
before audiences. According to Curt Sanburn in Life, Norman on stage creates the
perception of one who "veritably looms behind her lyrics." Norman's public
manner combines an apparent hauteur with flashes of disarming humor, putting her
squarely in the venerable operatic tradition of the Diva, to the extent that
many credit her as the inspiration for the title character in the 1981 French
film Diva.