Jessye Norman's Death

The opera singer Jessye Norman died at the age of 74. Here is all you want to know, and more!

Biography - A Short Wiki

American opera singer best known for her roles in the operas of Richard Wagner, such as Lohengrin, Tannhäuser and Tristan and Isolde.

Her father was an insurance salesman, and her mother was a schoolteacher.

Quotes

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Growing up in Augusta in such a protected and loving community is something that I really enjoy talking about. I love talking about – even though I grew up, of course, in the time of segregated schools: Brown vs. Board of Education came along after I was already in first grade.

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I walk an 11-minute mile without huffing and puffing.

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As for my voice, it cannot be categorised – and I like it that way, because I sing things that would be considered in the dramatic, mezzo or spinto range.

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I didn’t think at all as a young child that music would be my profession. It was just something that one did along with going to Brownies or going to church or going to school or anything else that one did in sort of one’s very young life.

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I have a particular affliction. I am unable to say a word I can’t spell.