Washington Life Magazine
The Grammy award-winning soprano will be honored with a pre-inaugural brunch this weekend.
By Patrick D. McCoy
World-class opera singer Jessye Norman will be honored by the Washington Performing Arts Society on Saturday, January 19 at the Hay-Adams Hotel during an invitation only pre-inaugural brunch. The soprano is no stranger to Washington, D. C., having graduated from Howard University.
Though she has enjoyed an international career of legendary repute, she
has always maintained close ties to the area through her many
performances and her work with the university. Attorney General Eric Holder
will present Ms. Norman with WPAS’ Ambassador of the Arts Award,
honoring her for her years of selfless service promoting the arts, arts
education and culture throughout the world.
Singer and actress Audra McDonald will perform in Ms. Norman’s honor. Lonnie Bunch, director of the new National Museum of African American History and Culture, Cora Masters Barry, Calvin Cafritz and the
Israeli and Mexican ambassadors will also be in attendance, among other
noted guests. Prior to her arrival in the District, Norman will conduct
a masterclass at Carnegie Hall in NYC as a part of the “The Song Continues” series.
A native of Augusta, Ga., Norman acquired an affinity for music from
from her early experiences in the church, and became an opera fan from
listening to the radio. Attending Howard on a full scholarship, she
studied voice with Carolyn Grant. After graduating, Norman did further graduate study at the Peabody Conservatory and the University of Michigan,
earning the Master of Music degree. Returning to the U. S. after
enjoying numerous successes in Europe, Norman made her U. S. operatic
début in 1982 with the Opera Company of Philadelphia,
appearing in Stravinsky’s “Oedipus Rex” as Jocasta and in the title
role of Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas.” Other notable house débuts include
New York’s Metropolitan Opera and Milan’s famed La Scala. In
1997, she became the youngest recipient of the Kennedy Center Honor,
and was a recipient of the National Medal of Arts, presented by
President Barack Obama, in 2010.
Beyond her singing, Ms. Norman has made extraordinary efforts to make
sure that future generations are educated about the the joys of opera
and classical music. In 2009, she curated the Honor Festival, which
celebrated the legacy of African American music both past and present.
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