Synopses & Reviews
One of America's most admired and decorated artists tells her amazing story, from her childhood in the South to the world's greatest stages.Jessye Norman is not only one of the world's most admired and beloved singers, she is an American icon whose life story is as moving and dramatic as the great operatic roles she has performed on stage.
Born and raised in Augusta, Georgia, nurtured in a close family and tight-knit community centered around the church, she studied the piano and sang the songs of her childhood, not dreaming that this passion for music might lead to her life's profession.
In Stand Up Straight and Sing!, Jessye Norman recalls in rich detail the strong women who were her role models, from her ancestors to family friends, relatives, and teachers. She hails the importance of her parents in her early learning and experiences in the arts. And she describes coming face-to-face with racism, not just as a child living in the segregated South, but also as an adult out and about in the world.
She speaks of the many who have inspired her and taught her essential life lessons. A special interlude on her key relationship with the pioneering African American singer Marian Anderson reveals the lifelong support that this great predecessor provided through her example of dignity and grace at all times.
The story of one womanand#8217;s astonishing life, Stand Up Straight And Sing! is not just for lovers of music, but for everyone.
Review
"This is a terrific read for anyone who loves opera and classical music, but it is also the story of a compelling and uniquely American journey." and#8211;AARP.org "Norman is a storyteller, and Stand Up Straight and Sing! unfolds the life of a conscientious artist who prominently meshes with the history of her times." and#8211;Santa Barbara Independent "[It] is this memoirand#8217;s life-affirming richness that most readers will take away and#8211; its hard-won wisdom and magnanimity." and#8211;The Augusta Chronicle "The best parts of Ms. Norman's book are her lyrical evocations of her early life in Augusta, Ga. She builds a rich portrait of a childhood firmly grounded by family, church and community." and#8211;The Wall Street Journal "Raised in Augusta, Georgia, a child of the Jim Crow and civil rights era, Grammyand#8211;winning, international opera singer Norman offers a broad and global perspective on life, the arts, and spirituality. Encouraged at an early age, she recalls playing on her grandmotherand#8217;s pedal organ, listening to her mother and grandmother sing spirituals, and taking to heart her motherand#8217;s admonition to "stand up straight" while reciting and singing. She recalls a long line of ancestors and the tight-knit community who encouraged her to go beyond the limitations of race and sex. Surrounded by music, from gospel to jazz to classical, and inspired by Marian Anderson, she started singing in church. Her talent was later nurtured at Howard University, and she went on to a career singing at the Berlin Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. Looking back on her life, she marvels at her long journey from the segregated South to a dazzling career in the arts. Norman recalls memorable performances and observations on the power of beautiful music to "enter the spirit and simply live there." Her inspiring memoir includes lyrics of her favorite songs." and#8212; Booklist
Synopsis
One of America's most admired and decorated singers tells her inspiring life story, from theand#160;segregated south to the world's greatest stages.and#160;
Synopsis
Jessye Norman is not only one of the worlds most admired and beloved opera stars—she is an American icon whose life story is as moving and inspiring as the fictional plot triumphs she sang onstage.
Born and raised in Augusta, Georgia, a descendant of many generations of hardworking slave and free ancestors, she grew up amid the challenges of Jim Crow racism with the civil rights movement just beginning to awaken. Nurtured by a close family and tight-knit community centered on the local church, Jessye sang songs and spirituals constantly, never dreaming that it might lead to a career. Only when she watched a documentary about the legendary Marian Anderson did she first realize that singing could be a profession. Decades later, after a meteoric rise at the Berlin Opera, a long-delayed debut at the Metropolitan Opera, and forays into spirituals, blues, jazz, and other roots music, she has become one of Americas cultural treasures. Stand Up Straight and Sing! is an inspiring womans account of an astonishing life.
Synopsis
andldquo;Norman offers a broad and global perspective on life, the arts, and spirituality . . . Inspiring.andrdquo; andndash; Booklist In Stand Up Straight and Sing!, Jessye Norman recalls in rich detail the strong women who were her role models, from her ancestors to family friends, relatives, and teachers. She hails the importance of her parents in her early learning and experiences in the arts. And she describes coming face-to-face with racism, not just as a child living in the segregated South but also as an adult out and about in the world.
She speaks of the many who have inspired her and taught her essential life lessons. A special interlude on her key relationship with the pioneering African American singer Marian Anderson reveals the lifelong support that this great predecessor provided through her example of dignity and grace at all times.
About the Author
JESSYE NORMAN is one of Americaand#39;s greatest and most accomplished singers, with five Grammy Awards, dozens of international prizes, and a Kennedy Center Honor among her countless awards.andnbsp;
Table of Contents
Preludeand#160;and#160;and#160;xi
1.and#160;In the Beginningand#8212;and#8220;Great day!and#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;1
2.and#160;A Motherand#8217;s Joyand#8212;and#8220;I want two wingsand#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;15
3.and#160;A Fatherand#8217;s Prideand#8212;and#8220;Evand#8217;ry time I feel the Spiritand#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;35
4.and#160;Church, Spirituals, and Spiritand#8212; and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; and#8220;There is a balm in Gileadand#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;57
5.and#160;Racism as It Lives and Breathesand#8212;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; and#8220;Sometimes I feel like a motherless childand#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;95
Interlude: Marian Andersonand#8212; and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; and#8220;My Lord, what a morningand#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;135
6.and#160;Growing Up in Germanyand#8212;and#8220;On my journey, nowand#8221; and#160;and#160;and#160;147
7.and#160;The Singing Craft as Art Formand#8212;and#8220;Oh, Glory!and#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;180
8.and#160;The Song, the Craft, the Spirit, and the Joy!and#8212;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; and#8220;The Lordand#8217;s Prayerand#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;197
9.and#160;Woman, Life, Singerand#8212;and#8220;Ride on, King Jesusand#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;221
10.and#160;And the Journey Continuesand#8212;
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; and#8220;Heand#8217;s got the whole world in His handand#8221;and#160;and#160;and#160;258
Postludeand#160;and#160;and#160;280
Codaand#160;and#160;and#160;285
Indexand#160;and#160;and#160;289