A CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE
OF
'Mattiwi(da 'Do66s Janzon
ju{y 11,1925- Vecember 8, 2015
Friday, December 18, 2015 11:00 a.m.
First Congregational Church 105 Courtland Street, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30303
The Reverend Dr. Dwight D. Andrews, Senior Pastor Officiating
In Remembrance: Mattiwilda Dobbs Janzon
Order of Service
Prelude Music
Adagio in G Minor
T. Albinoni
Processional Music
Hark, A Voice Saith, All Are Mortal
J.S. Bach
Welcome and Invocation
Reverend Dr. Dwight Andrews
Congregational Hymn
There's a Sweet, Sweet Spirit #120 LEV Hymnal
Scripture Readings Old Testament Reading: Psalm 130 New Testament Reading: Luke 1:46-55
Dr. Juliet Blackburn Beamon Ms. Carol Ann Miller
In Memoriam ofMattiwilda Dobbs janzon Dr. Joyce Finch Johnson, pianist
Dr. T.J. Anderson
Pastoral Prayer
Reverend Dr. Dwight Andrews
Musical Selection
A City Called Heaven
arr. Hall Johnson
Mrs. Laura English Robinson, Soprano C'69 Voice Professor, Department of Music, Spelman College
Dr. Joyce Finch Johnson, pianist
Mattiwilda Dobbs, a coloratura soprano and one of the pioneering African American opera singers who sang at the Metropolitan Opera, at La Scala and other international opera houses during the 1950s and 1960s died in Atlanta, Georgia on December 8, 2015. Ms. Dobbs' coloratura soprano voice was praised for its freshness and agility, glowing texture and tonal beauty. She was 90. Ms. Dobbs grew up in a musical household, where singing was a constant. She started piano lessons at seven like all of her sisters and sang in the church choir as a teenager. She began formal voice training at Spelman College in Atlanta and also sang in the glee club. A music and Spanish major, she was valedictorian of her class. Upon graduation in 1946, Ms. Dobbs traveled to New York City with the support of her parents for voice study with German soprano Lotte Leonard. While in New York, she earned a Masters in Spanish at Columbia University Teachers College, and was granted a Marian Anderson award as well as a scholarship to the Mannes Music School and to the Opera Workshop at the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood. In 1950, Ms. Dobbs won a John Hay Whitney Fellowship and used the grant to study French repertoire in Paris with Pierre Bernac. The following year, she won the International Music Competition sponsored by Geneva's Conservatory of Music. Her international career blossomed with her debut at the Netherlands Opera in Amsterdam. After a successful European concert tour of several major cities, Ms. Dobbs made her debut in 1953 in a Rossini opera at La Scala in Milan, the first black principal singer. She also made her debut the same year at the Royal Opera House in London, as the Woodbird in ~~Siegfried." She later appeared at the Paris Opera, the Vienna State Opera, and at the opera houses of Hamburg and Stockholm. She sang a command performance before Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, and visiting King Gustave and Queen Louise of Sweden at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 1954.
Her American debut was a recital at New York's Town Hall with the Little Orchestra Society in 1954. She made her United States operatic debut in 1955 at the San Francisco Opera as the Queen of Shemakha in Rimsky-Korsakov's tiLe Coq d'Or." Ms. Dobbs fulfilled a long-held dream when she debuted on November 9, 1956 at the Metropolitan Opera in the role of Gilda in Giuseppe Verdi's 11 Rigoletto." She was preceded the year before by two black singers, contralto Marian Anderson and baritone Robert McFerrin. Ms. Dobbs was offered a long-term contract by the Met as a principal singer and sang in twenty-nine performances over eight seasons.
Ms. Dobbs also performed recitals and concerts at many historically black colleges in the South, often accompanied by her older sister, Dr. Irene Dobbs Jackson. Following the example set by many African American performers, she refused to sing for segregated audiences. In 1962, Ms. Dobbs was welcomed back to her hometown and sang in the recently desegregated Atlanta Municipal Auditorium. At the end of the concert, she was joined onstage and given roses and a key to the city by then Mayor, Ivan Allen, Jr. Ms. Dobbs gave multiple concerts at Spelman College from 1964 to 1975. She was Artist-in-Residence in the Music Department at the college for the academic year 1974-1975. She also sang at the inauguration of her nephew, Maynard H. Jackson, Jr., as the first African American mayor of Atlanta, singing the spiritual, "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."
Ms. Dobbs retired from the stage in 1974 and began a career as voice teacher. Following her year at Spelman, she was on the faculty at the University of Texas, and later at Howard University in Washington, DC. In 1979, Spelman College awarded an honorary doctorate to both Ms. Dobbs and Ms. Anderson. Also, in 1980 Emory University awarded an honorary doctorate to Ms. Dobbs.
Mattiwilda Dobbs Janzon was born on July 11, 1925 as the fifth of six daughters to Irene Thompson and John Wesley Dobbs, who were prominent members of Atlanta's black community. She was named for her maternal grandmother, Mattie Wilda Sykes. In a family where every member sang, "Geekie," as Ms. Dobbs was affectionately called, was soon recognized as having a soprano voice that was special. "I would never have been a singer if it were not for my father," said Ms. Dobbs. "I was too shy. He supported me and always encouraged me to go on."
In 1952, Ms. Dobbs met Luis Rodriguez, a young Spaniard who was in Paris studying at the Sorbonne. They were married the following year and lived for a short while in Spain. Luis died of a liver ailment in 1954. She later met a Swedish newspaperman and public relations executive, Bengt Janzon, in 1957. They were married in New York City on December 23, 1957, attended by Ms. Dobbs' parents, sisters, and family members. The couple was married for forty years until Bengt's death in 1997.
Ms. Dobbs received the Opera Music Theater International Lifetime Achievement Award for her illustrious career in the history of opera. She was committed to a new generation of OMTI Emerging Artists, as adjudicator of OMTI International Vocal Competition, and International Singers Forum. She also served on the board of the Metropolitan Opera and on the National Endowment of the Arts Solo Recital Panel.
Ms. Dobbs was predeceased by her husband, Bengt, and by four of her older sisters, Irene Dobbs Jackson, Willie Dobbs Blackburn, Millicent Dobbs Jordan, and Josephine Dobbs Clement. Ms. Dobbs is survived by her younger sister, Dr. June Dobbs Butts, of Atlanta. During her final years in Atlanta, Ms. Dobbs was lovingly cared for by her nephew, Dobbs Jordan, and his wife, Michele Jordan. On her ninetieth birthday in July of 2015, a large gathering of nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives, and dear friends gathered to celebrate her life as the celebrity of the family and as the beloved Aunt Geekie.
Reflections /Remarks
Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell, President, Spelman College Ms. Kathy Hobbs, Program Director, Canterbury Court Ms. Patricia Miller, Distinguished University Professor of Music
George Mason University Mr. William A. Clement, Retired President & CEO
Atlanta Life Financial Group Mr. Wayne S. Brown, President & CEO, Michigan Opera Theatre
Musical Selection
He's Got The Whole World in His Hands
Ms. Michelle Bradley, Soprano Lindemann Young Artist Development Program
The Metropolitan Opera Dr. Joyce Finch Johnson, pianist
Video Presentation: Celebration of90th Birthday Produced by Mr. Robert H. Jordan
Eulogy
Reverend Elizabeth Mitchell Clement
Musical Selection
A Medley ofFavorite Hymns Dr. Joyce Finch Johnson, pianist
Acknowledgments
Mr. Arthur John Clement
Recessional
Toccata from Symphony V
C.M. Widor
The Benediction will be given at the Interment:
Southview Cemetery 1990 Jonesboro Road, SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30315
Honorary Pallbearers
Benjamin A. Blackburn, II Arthur John Clement Wesley Dobbs Clement William A. Clement Dobbs Jordan Robert H. Jordan
The family wishes to thank each of you for your loving thoughts and prayers during Aunt Geekie's illness and the outpouring of your love and sympathy. God bless you.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Spelman College for the Irene & John Wesley Dobbs Endowed Scholarship. Spelman College 350 Spelman Lane SW Campus Box 1303 Atlanta, GA 30314-4399
86 CREDIBLE. COMPELLING. COMPLETE.
METRO &OBITUARIES
THE ATLANTA JOURNALCONSTITUTION TUESDAY. DEC . 15. 2 01 5
MATTIWILDA DOBBS, 90
Singer paved Way for other blacl(s
Atlanta native performed in opera around the world.
By C.G. Freightman FortheAJC
Atlanta native Mattiwil-
da Dobbs rose to interna-
. tional fame in the 1950s
as one of the first African-
American opera singers Mattlwilda Dobbs
to perform on major stag-.
es around the world.
The coloratura sopra-
Like many African-
no was acclaimed for avo- American artists in
cal technique described the early 20th centu-
as pure and resonant as a ry, Dobbs, a daughter of
bell, lively interpretations the Jim Crow South, first
and stage presence. She is was recognized for her
credited with paving the talent while performing
way for other black opera throughout Europe .
singers including Leon-
In 1953, she became the
tyne Price, jessye Norman first African-American to
and Kathleen Battle.
perform a lead role, as El-
"This is a tremendous vira in "L'italiana in Al-
loss for American music," geri, " at La Scala Opera
said composer and for- House in Milan. The fol-
mer music professor T.J. lowing year, she made her
Anderson of Atlanta. "She American debut with the
had a great deal of flex- Little Orchestra Society in
ibility in her voice. Her New York City.
voice was light and dis-
Inspired by actor and
tinguished because of the singer Paul Robeson's
clarity of it. Everything similar action, Dobbs re-
was precise. We have lost fused to.perform before
a gem."
segregated audiences and
Dobbs died Dec. 8 at did not perform in her
her Atlanta home after a hometown until1962 be-
brief bout with cancer. fore an integrated house
She was 90. Her funeral at Municipal Auditorium.
will be held at 11 a.m. on
Dobbs was born on July
Dec. 18 at First Congrega- 11, 1925, into one of Atlan-
tipnal Church in Atlanta. ta's most prominent black
families. She was the fifth Her career took off af-
of six daughters.
ter she won the Interna-
Her father, civic and tional Music Competi-
politicalleader John Wes- tion in Geneva, Switzer-
ley Dobbs, was known
land, in 1951. The next
as the unofficial mayor year, she made her pro-
Of Auburn Avenue. Her fessional operatic de-
nephew, Maynard Jack- but at the Holland Festi-
son, became Atlanta's
val with the Royal Dutch
first black mayor.
Opera in Stravinsky's "Le
Her parents instilled a Rossignol."
strong sense of self-worth In 1953, she made her
in their daughters. Her fa- debut at the Royal Opera
ther refused to let them to House in London and lat-
go to segregated theaters er performed at the Par-
and insisted they all take is Opera, the Vienna State
piano lessons, starting at Opera and opera hous-
age 7.
es in Hamburg and Stock-
As a child, Dobbs took holm. In 1955, she be-
a keen interest in singing. came the first African-
Although shy and self-
American to play a lead
effacing, she joined the role at the San Frantisco
choir at First Congrega- Opera.
tiona! ahd sang her first
The following year, she
solo at age 6.
made her debut as Gil-
Dobbs and her five sis- da in "Rigoletto" with
ters all graduated from the Metropolitan Opera
Spelman College, where in 1956 - a year after con-
she received a music de- tralto Marian Anderson
gree and was valedictori- broke the color barrier.
an of her class in 1946.
Dobbs also was the first
After graduation,
black singer to be offered
she continued her mu-
a long-term contract by
sic training in New York, the Met, where she sang
where she won schol-
29 times in six roles dur-
arships to study at the
ing eight seasons.
Mannes College ofMu-
After retiring from the
sic and the Berkshire Mu- stage in 1974, Dobbs be-
sic Center's Opera Work- gan her career as a voice
shop. She received a mas- teacher at Spelman. That
ter's degree at Columbia year, she sang at her
University, and she stud- nephew's 1974 inaugura-
ied with voice coach Lotte . tion gala.
Leonard. She later moved She later taught at the
to Paris to study with
University of Texas at .
Pierre Bernac.
Austin, the University of
Illinois and Howard University. She also served on the board of the Metropolitan Opera and on the National Endowment of the Arts Solo Recital Panel. Spelman awarded her a honorary doctorate in 1979.
Dobbs was married twice. Her first husband, Spanish playwright and, journalist Luis Rodriguez, died a year after their wedding. She later was married to Swedish newspaper journalist Bengt Janzon for nearly 40 years until his death in 1997.
She retired from Howard in 1991 and from singing two years later. In 2012, she returned to Atlanta. Known for her kindness and humility, Dobbs served as a mentor to many aspiring opera singers.
"I've shared her recordings with my students so that they would know of her artistry and the sheer beauty of her instrument," said Spelman voice professor Laura English-Robinson. "While
she had acareer that was
phenomenal, she was gracious and kind and generous with her time. She was the consummate.singer. She had the total package ."
Dobbs is survived by
her sister June Dobbs Butts of Atlanta.
Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers1 checks made payable to Spelman College1 with Dobbs Endowed Scholarship written in the
memo line1 may be mailed to Spelman College1 350 Spelman Lane SW1 Campus Box 13031 Atlanta1 GA
30314-4399.
Share a Memory
Please join us in remembering Mattiwilda Dobbs Janzon by visiting our Memorial at
www.hmpattersonOglethorpe.com. Through this site1 we invite you to share your thoughts and fond memories with
our family.
H.M. Patterson & Son Oglethorpe Hill
4SSO Peachtree Rd NE Atlanta, GA30319-2731
(404) 261-3510 ww\v.hmpattersonOglethorpe.corn
Making Everlasting Memories I www.MeM.com
Pnnted in the USA
284
In Loving Memory
Mattiwilda Dobbs Janzon
Saturday1 July 111 1925
Afterglow
I'd like the memory of me To be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an afterglow Of smiles
When life is done. I'd like to leave an echo whispering
Softly down the ways. Of happy times and laughing ti1nes
And bright sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve,
To dry before the sun Of happy memories that I leave
When life is done.
- Helen Lowrie Marshall -
------~~~~~-------
Born Saturday, July 11 , 1925
Atlanta, Georgia
Passed Away Tuesday, Dece1nber 8, 2015
Atlanta, Georgia
Funeral Service First Congregational Church
Atlanta, Georgia Friday, December 18,2015 at 11:00 am
Rev. Dwight Andrews
Committal Service Southview Cemetery
Atlanta, Georgia Friday, December 18, 2015