The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, a founding resident company of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, will host its Lifetime Achievement Award Gala on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 6 PM at The Westin Philadelphia. This year’s Gala honors soprano Jessye Norman. The event is black tie.
The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, a founding resident company of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, will host its Lifetime Achievement Award Gala on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 6 PM at The Westin Philadelphia. This year’s Gala honors soprano Jessye Norman. The event is black tie.
“We feel privileged to have been asked by The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia to chair this
very unique gala,” remarked Gala Chairs, Carole and Joseph Shanis. “We know this will be a spectacular event, and it is an ideal opportunity to honor Ms. Jessye Norman, a musical great, with the Chamber Orchestra Lifetime Achievement Award.”
The evening will begin with a private recital by surprise special guests, followed by the presentation of the
Lifetime Achievement Award to Ms. Norman. The celebration continues with cocktails and a three-course sitdown
dinner, followed by dancing with a live band and open bar.
While on tour in Europe, Jessye Norman delivered the following message on being honored with The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia’s Lifetime Achievement Award:
In these often troubling times in which we live, it is especially gratifying to be reminded that the arts play an essential part, have a special resonance in bringing us back to the beauty of life, the inspiring, the blessing of something as ephemeral as a dance step, as lasting as a sculpture in bronze, as deep in our consciousness as a song that finds its way in the harmony of our minds and stays there. I am very pleased indeed that the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia has decided to pause and celebrate music and all that it gives to us and I could not be happier to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award on this occasion. I happen to agree with the words of Shakespeare that “Life without music would be a mistake”…and am completely joy-filled that music is indeed at the center of my life and that I am given the privilege of sharing its nurturing magic with every ear that will hear and every heart that is open to its pleasures. Thank you, Philadelphia; I look forward to returning to your
brotherly and sisterly embrace."
“This organization is truly fortunate to have the honor of welcoming Jessye Norman back to Philadelphia,”
said Kenneth M. Jarin, Esq., Chairman of The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia Board of Directors.
“For several years, the Chamber Orchestra has been hosting elegant Gala benefits to bestow its prestigious
Lifetime Achievement Award upon a revered member of the cultural community and we are thrilled to add Ms.
Norman to this esteemed list.”
Jessye Norman made her United States operatic debut in 1982 with The Opera Company of Philadelphia.
Since then, she has been the recipient of many prestigious awards and honors – including honorary
doctorates at nearly thirty-five colleges, universities and conservatories around the world; five Grammy
Awards in addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award for Classical Music, making her only the fourth
classical music singer in its history to receive that award from the Grammys; and the Kennedy Center Honor –
the United States’ highest award in the performing arts. An advocate for emerging talent, she began the
Jessye Norman School of the Arts in her hometown of Augusta, Georgia for talented middle school students
interested in the creative and performing arts; and The University of Michigan established a fellowship and
master class series in her name. Jessye Norman is best known for the size and power of her voice, and
continues to share her talent in countless cities all across the globe.
“After Luciano Pavarotti in 2003 and Plácido Domingo in 2009, it is an honor to recognize another great
classical icon with our Orchestra’s prestigious award,” said Susan Schwartz McDonald, President of The
Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia Board of Directors. “It is wonderful to have Ms. Norman here, in
Philadelphia, where she made her first United States operatic debut 30 years ago, as the Chamber Orchestra
Lifetime Achievement Award pays tribute to those figures with the utmost longevity, versatility, influence,
creativity, and success in music and the performing arts.”
Tickets, tables and sponsorships are available now, with a limited quantity of Early Bird Tickets available
through February 29, 2012. Visit www.chamberorchestra.org/gala or call 215.545.5451 x29 for more
information.
