Opera Singer. A contralto, she shall probably be best-remembered for interpreting the works of Gustav Mahler. Born Mary Norma Procter, she was raised in Grimsby, studied privately, and made her 1948 professional bow at the Southwick Cathedral in Handel's "Messiah". Over the years she became known throughout Europe primarily as an oratorio singer, her repertoire encompassing the entire Mahler vocal canon, including the first complete recording of "Das Klagende Lied", as well as Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Mendelssohn's "Elijah", and Handel's "Alcina". In 1958 Norma was chosen by Benjamin Britten to sing the title lead in Aldeburgh Festival presentations of "The Rape of Lucretia", then in 1961 she made her Covent Garden debut as the title Orpheus from Gluck's "Orpheus et Erudice". Thru the late 1970s she was to maintain a busy schedule, but then was gradually to retire to her Grimsby home where she received students for many years. At her death following a long period of debility from Parkinson's disease, she left a quite significant legacy which includes complete recordings of "Messiah", Elijah", and "Alcina".
Opera Singer. A contralto, she shall probably be best-remembered for interpreting the works of Gustav Mahler. Born Mary Norma Procter, she was raised in Grimsby, studied privately, and made her 1948 professional bow at the Southwick Cathedral in Handel's "Messiah". Over the years she became known throughout Europe primarily as an oratorio singer, her repertoire encompassing the entire Mahler vocal canon, including the first complete recording of "Das Klagende Lied", as well as Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Mendelssohn's "Elijah", and Handel's "Alcina". In 1958 Norma was chosen by Benjamin Britten to sing the title lead in Aldeburgh Festival presentations of "The Rape of Lucretia", then in 1961 she made her Covent Garden debut as the title Orpheus from Gluck's "Orpheus et Erudice". Thru the late 1970s she was to maintain a busy schedule, but then was gradually to retire to her Grimsby home where she received students for many years. At her death following a long period of debility from Parkinson's disease, she left a quite significant legacy which includes complete recordings of "Messiah", Elijah", and "Alcina".
Bio by: Bob Hufford
Advertisement
See more Procter memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
