Born in Augusta, Georgia, in 1945, Norman studied at Howard University, the University of Michigan, and Peabody Conservatory. She debuted at Deutsche Opera in Berlin in 1969 as Elisabeth in Tannh‹user; three years later, she made her American debut at the Hollywood Bowl. Recitals at Lincoln Center and across the United States followed.
Norman launched her American operatic career in 1982, singing Jocasta in Oedipus Rex and as Dido in Dido and Aeneas at the Opera Company of Philadelphia. In 1983, she made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Cassandra in Berlioz's Les Troyens in a production that opened the company's 100th-anniversary season. Her other signature roles include Aida and Emile Marty in Janac_k's The Makropoulos Case.
In recent years, Norman has made opera appearances only rarely, but remains one of the biggest stars of the concert stage. Her many bestselling recordings include lieder, opera, and jazz.
She recently received a lifetime achievement Grammy Award.
Last year's Edison lifetime achievement award for classical music went to baritone Thomas Hampson.