Jessye Norman, the American soprano who came to fame in range of roles at the Metropolitan Opera and houses around the world, died on Monday in New York.
She was 74.
Her cause of death was septic shock and multiple organ failure following complications of a spinal cord injury she suffered in 2015.
The Metropolitan Opera released the following statement:
The Met mourns the loss of Jessye Norman, one of the great sopranos of the past half-century. Starting with her Met debut as Cassandra in Berlioz’s Les Troyens on Opening Night of the Met’s centennial 1983–84 season, Norman sang more than 80 performances with the company, dazzling audiences with her beautiful tone, extraordinary power, and musical sensitivity. A revered Wagnerian, at the Met she was beloved for her interpretations of Elisabeth in Tannhäuser, Sieglinde in Die Walküre, and Kundry in Parsifal. Her wide-ranging Met repertoire also included works by Poulenc, Janá?ek, Bartók, and Schoenberg. She will perhaps be best remembered for her glorious, definitive portrayal of Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos, pictured. “Jessye Norman was one of the greatest artists to ever sing on our stage,” said General Manager Peter Gelb. “Her legacy shall forever live on.” The Met extends condolences to Ms. Norman’s family and friends.
She was an incredible talent with an equally-as-incredible career. RIP.
https://youtu.be/nPYvfZ9iwgk
The Met mourns the loss of Jessye Norman (1945–2019), one of the great sopranos of the past half-century, who sang more than 80 unforgettable performances with the company. We extend our condolences to Ms. Norman’s family and friends. https://t.co/38WXiHkKPg
Photo: Met Archives pic.twitter.com/DXzWKl8o7U— Metropolitan Opera (@MetOpera) September 30, 2019
