Sissieretta Jones
(1869-1933)
Researched by James E. Du Bose
Sissieretta Jones was born Matilda Sissieretta Joyner in Portsmouth, Va., as one of
two children of the Rev. Jeremiah Joyner. Her singing talent was quickly discovered as
a young child, as she sang in the church choir, and was credited to have been passed
down from her mother.
Jones’ formal voice training started when she enrolled in the Providence Academy
of Music at age 14. She continued to pursue singing as she formally studied voice at the
New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.
Jones made her professional debut with a performance at Steinway Hall on April 5,
1888. As the result of the success of the concert, it led to her touring around Europe,
Sissieretta Jones, photo
South America and the West Indies, with the famous Fisk Jubilee Singers. It is stated
courtesy of Wikipedia.
that audiences around the world praised the “first Negro prima donna” and her
magnificent soprano voice.
“She has most of the qualities essential in a great singer: the natural voice, the physical figure, the grand air
and the engaging personality,” according to the great James Weldon Johnson, who wrote the famed poem “Lift
Every Voice and Sing.”
During a concert in New York City, a music critic dubbed Jones as “The Black Patti,” comparing her to the
great Italian soprano, Adelina Patti. Although Jones disliked it, the nickname stuck and gained popularity as
being synonymous with Sissieretta Jones.
In 1893, a billboard advertising the “Black Patti Troubadours (The Greatest Show On Earth)” boasted this
description of Jones: “The Most Popular Prima Donna in the world with people of all nations as well as all
races.” It is reported that countless millions have been charmed by her phenomenal voice. The Duke of
Cambridge, Prince of Wales (future King Edward VII) and other members of the British Royal Family had
honored Jones with their distinguished patronage.
Jones was considered a pioneer of black opera singing. She paved the way for a long list of black opera
singers to follow, which include Marian Anderson, Roland Hayes, Leontyne Price, and Grace Bumbry, among
others.