Matilda Sissieretta Joyner Jones, known as Sissieretta Jones, was an African-American soprano. She sometimes was called "The Black Patti" in reference to Italian opera singer Adelina Patti. Jones' repertoire included grand opera, light opera and popular music.
In June 1892, Jones became the first African-American to sing at the Music Hall in New York (renamed Carnegie Hall the following year). Among the selections in her program were Charles Gounod's "Ave Maria" and Giuseppe Verdi's "Sempre libera" (from La traviata).
The New York Echo
wrote of her performance at the Music Hall: "If Mme Jones is not the
equal of Adelina Patti, she at least can come nearer it than anything
the American public has heard. Her notes are as clear as a mockingbird's
and her annunciation perfect."
On June 8, 1892, her career elevated beyond primary ethnic communities,
and was furthered when she received a contract, with the possibility of a
two-year extension, for $150 per week (plus expenses) with Mayor James
B. Pond, who had meaningful affiliations to many authors and musicians.
The company Troubadours made an important statement about the
capabilities of black performers, that besides minstrelsy, there were
other areas of genre and style.
Additional information is available here.
Source: Wikipedia
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