Black opera singers

Jessye Norman’s illustrious opera career and extraordinary artistry was honored at her public funeral. So was Jessye Norman the loyal friend, the humanitarian, the teacher and the person not only celebrated for her golden voice, but for her heart of gold. RELATED: Little Known Black History Fact; Jessye Norman Several speakers at Saturday’s four-hour service, […]

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — The public funeral for opera star Jessye Norman has been set for Saturday in Georgia and will feature tributes from actor Laurence Fishburne, civil rights activist Vernon Jordan and Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald. RELATED: Little Known Black History Fact: Jessye Norman The funeral will be at the William B. Bell Auditorium […]

Jessye Norman was one of the reigning divas of opera, and now the world is gathered in remembering the legendary soprano singer after her passing on Monday. The Augusta, Ga. native was born September 15, 1945, and was a champion of diversity in her field and in the arts as well. RELATED: Opera Star Jessye […]

NEW YORK (AP) — Jessye Norman, the renowned international opera star whose passionate soprano voice won her four Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts and the Kennedy Center Honor, has died, according to family spokesperson Gwendolyn Quinn. She was 74. A statement released to The Associated Press on Monday said Norman died at 7:54 […]

In the opera world, Grace Bumbry is considered a master of her craft as one of the leading mezzo-soprano vocalists in the world. Today is the St. Louis, Mo. native’s birthday. Bumbry was born in 1937. Her parents exposed her to the likes of Marian Anderson, who would be an early inspiration. At 16, Bumbry […]

Baritone opera singer Todd Duncan made history by becoming the first African-American to sing with a major American opera company, and the first to perform with an all-white cast. Duncan was also a music professor at Howard University during a period where his career was just beginning to take off. Born Robert Todd Duncan on […]

  Leontyne Price is largely regarded as the first African-American opera singer to gain worldwide recognition. Ms. Price, an award-winning and beloved vocalist, didn’t set out to be an opera singer at first, but changed course much to the world’s benefit. Price was born Mary Violet Leontyne Price on February 10, 1927 in Laurel, Miss. […]