Norman Treigle ’53, a New Orleans native and graduate of the College of Music at Loyola University New Orleans, is often heralded as one of the greatest opera singers of the 20th century. Last week, the New Orleans City Council honored the local native by dedicating the square in front of the Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts as Treigle Plaza.
Treigle, who died in 1975, performed with the New Orleans Opera Association for many years before making his New York City Opera debut in 1953. He went on to become an internationally renowned bass baritone, and returned to New Orleans in 1973 to perform Giuseppe Verdi’s “Messa di Requiem” at the opening of the Mahalia Jackson Theater.
His daughter Phyllis Treigle ’81, MM ’06, also an accomplished opera singer, along with other relatives, were joined by New Orleans Opera Association director Robert Lyall and Treigle biographer Brian Morgan ’84 at last week’s dedication. Treigle Plaza includes the large fountain directly outside of the theater, as well as the elevated area in front of the main entrance to the theater.