Plaza dedicated to N.O. opera singer

Advocate staff photo by ELIOT KAMENITZ -- New Orleans City Council on Friday, October 12, 2012 dedicated the Norman Treigle Plaza in Louis Armstrong Park near the Mahalia Jackson Theatre in honor of the late opera singer and NO native. Opera star Placido Domingo later performed at the theatre for a gala supporting the New Orleans Opera Association . People mingle on the newly dedicated plaza. For dedication photo see page 2B

New Orleans bureau

New Orleans — The New Orleans City Council dedicated Norman Treigle Plaza on Friday night in honor of the late internationally acclaimed opera singer and native New Orleanian.

The dedication of the plaza, in front of the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, was held on the opening night of opera season in conjunction with a gala concert starring Placido Domingo and celebrating 50 years of his performances with the New Orleans Opera.

City Council Vice President Jackie Clarkson said Treigle always remembered his roots, even after his star rose.

“He never forgot his city, even as he was acclaimed internationally,” Clarkson said.

Treigle was born in the city in 1927 and made his operatic debut 20 years later with the New Orleans Opera Association at the Municipal Auditorium.

Recognized as one of the greatest opera singers of the 1900s, he studied at Loyola University’s College of Music and went on to perform at the New York City Opera.

Treigle also worked with the New Orleans Recreation Department’s Light Opera Group, which included performances with youths across the city.