PASADENA, CA. (Pasadena POPS Orchestra) - In an extraordinary one-time event, legendary opera star Jessye Norman, acclaimed as one of the world's greatest sopranos, will join maestra Rachael Worby and The Pasadena POPS Orchestra in a rare West Coast performance exclusively for 1,500 inner city students at Pasadena's Blair IB
Magnet High School on Friday,
September 22 (11:15 a.m.).
Recognized globally for her vocal successes and humanitarian acts, Norman agreed to the concert on the request of Worby, who crafted a pioneering education residency program at Blair High three years ago to instill an appreciation for music and a platform for self discipline and hard work among the students.
The 45-minute performance will be held in Blair High's gymnasium, a far cry from the world's great concert halls Norman has visited throughout her distinguished career. She will regale the students with her personal interpretations of opera, gospel and jazz, as well as readings from great black authors and leaders, with the accompaniment of the POPS Orchestra under Worby's direction.
"Jessye Norman can perform anywhere in the world, but once I described the opportunity to do a concert that introduces great music to economically disadvantaged, at-risk teenagers, there was no hesitation on her part," said Worby. "It was especially compelling for her since the school is participating in one of our outreach programs aimed specifically at inner city kids."
Norman, a 2006 Lifetime Achievement Awardee from The Recording Academy and a 1997 Kennedy Center Honoree among her 30 or more decorations and awards, is a tireless champion of philanthropic activities. She is spokesperson for the LUPUS Foundation and The Partnership for the Homeless and serves on the boards of The New York City Public Library, New York Botanical Garden, Meals-on-Wheels of New York, The Dance Theater of Harlem, National Music Foundation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Worby introduced the concept of a concert at Blair High through a series of transatlantic telephone calls and emails over the last several months. The venue and audience were immediately appealing to the opera star.
"Ms. Norman is sure to make an electrifying effect in the school because of her tremendous artistry and humanity," said John Hancock, executive director of the Pasadena POPS. "These are the themes of our ongoing work with the students in this and other schools where we pursue a path of commonality and personal accomplishment through music."
Norman will accept no fee for the performance and all other costs have been covered by anonymous donations.
"The opportunity to conduct for Jessye Norman in this setting is one of the dreams of my life," said Worby. "Her powerful and lustrous voice and interpretations will be one of the enduring joys these young people will ever experience."
The Norman and Worby collaboration will continue from Blair High School to Beijing and Shanghai in October when Worby will conduct Norman's concerts in China.
Norman made her operatic debut in 1969, and soon thereafter conquered the world's greatest stages. Her distinguished association with the Metropolitan Opera Company of New York began with her debut on the opening night of the organization's centennial season in 1983.
