大象传媒

The African-American opera singer Jessye Norman has performed all the great roles in the major opera houses around the world. She's sung for the late Nelson Mandela, for the Clintons and for President Obama - but her rise to the top has not been straightforward. Her professional debut was in 1969 in Berlin, playing Elisabeth in Wagner's Tannhauser - a challenging role in many ways. (Photo Carol Friedman)