Starting in the mid-1990s , Norman began to move away from soprano stage roles to mezzo-soprano roles . She performed at the 1996 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in Atlanta , singing " Faster , Higher , Stronger . " In January 1997 she performed at the second inauguration of U.S. President Bill Clinton . Norman 's 1998 – 99 performances included a recital at Carnegie Hall in New York City , which had an unusual program incorporating the sacred music of Duke Ellington , scored for jazz combo , string quartet and piano , and featuring the Alvin Ailey Repertory Dance Ensemble . Other performances during the season included '' Das Lied von der Erde '' , with Seiji Ozawa and the Boston Symphony Orchestra , a television special for Christmas filmed in her home town of Augusta , Georgia , as well as a spring recital tour , which included performances in Tel Aviv , Israel . The following season also brought performances of the sacred music of Duke Ellington to London and Vienna , together with a summer European tour , which included performances at the Salzburg Festival
1996 Summer Olympics opening ceremony
1996 Summer Olympics opening ceremony
Jessye Norman