On what would have been her 78th birthday, we pay tribute to the incomparable opera legend Jessye Norman. Though she passed away in 2019 at 74 years, her powerful and captivating voice is iconic in opera. 

Born into a musical family, Norman got her start singing in her church’s choir before receiving a full scholarship to Howard University, where she studied music. She continued her education at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland, and the University of Michigan. In 1985, Norman’s career reached new heights as she was called to sing at several significant American ceremonies. First, she sang at President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration, with George H. W. Bush serving as Vice President. Twelve years later, in 1997, Norman sang again at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., for President Bill Clinton's second inauguration with Vice President. 

Norman was a globally known and loved opera star, but also known for her philanthropy. She was awarded many honors, including the Légion d’honneur, the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits by Napoleon Bonaparte. At 52, she was the youngest to receive the Kennedy Center Honors in 1997, an annual tribute awarded to artists for their lifetime contributions to American culture.

Today, we celebrate her memory by revisiting five of her most iconic performances, each a testament to her extraordinary vocal prowess and unmatched artistry.