Sissieretta Jones—famous for her elaborate gowns and glittering array of medals in addition to her voice—was one of the first African American artists to perform at Carnegie Hall.

Here, Carnegie Hall's Archives and Museum Director Gino Francesconi relates the story of rise and fall of "The Black Patti" and how we came to have a very rare piece of Sissieretta Jones memorabilia on display in the Rose Museum at the Hall.

Watch more "From the Carnegie Hall Archives" at    • The History of Carnegie Hall