Her voice was built for the Wagner and other German repertories. She slammed this piece live and in recordings. Such feeling and delivery. With her interpretation, I just close my eyes and imagine. The soprano has to rise above the music with Wagner and she delivers.. Amazing..
COMPLETE PERFECTION. Remember when Norman was working her way up the ladder. I was a mere student (undergrad major.. 18 years old, with my own focus on vocal performance and Education).. later went on to receive my Masters, sang with Luciano and others, but NO ONE could ever hold a candle to Jesse. She performed a recital at our PA Bldg. on campus and I was blown away. Just KNEW this woman was special... and how right I was. Unfortunately never had the opp. to perform with her.
This recording catches me unawares every time I hear it. Nobody does it better....so much soul. Reduces me to tears with its beauty. Rest in peace Jessye and thank you for your lasting legacy.
This is the most beautiful version I know of. And I don't want to argue about technique, about Flagstad, Nilsson, whatever. I am German and I know my language, she is awesome. This version is perfect, because it has a rich acoustic space, so colorful... ...and after all the emotional drama and pain, its ending has such a wonderful touch of forgiveness and peaceful surrender.
+Spentmore Yearly You are entitled to your opinion. If you want to tell me in a roundabout way that this version is "Kitsch" (candy floss), then you're plain wrong. This is "Liebestod" - dying is "let go" - and it is a peaceful moment.
She is mezzo soprano as far asci know. Many Mezzo Sopranos have become Wagnerian Soprano. They are only asked to sing untill c3 / c6 at the highest and it occures seldom. Maestra Norman is well known for EXCELLENT German Diction.
Mezzo's (like Norman) are better in this role, imo. I really can't stand the heavy sceechy soprano Isolde's so celebrated. They hurt my ears. They lack tenderness.
Jessye I reard you back in 2001 at Carnegie Hall, signing exactly this song. Your strong but also smoth voice invaded my soul. It was one of those moments I'll never forget. Thanks sweet lady, RIP
It seems most of our African American greats are leaving us. I hope in time this generation and the one to come will realize how their gifts came thru adversity and great sorrow but they excelled through it all to become the best of the best!!! BRAVO JESSIE.
Unfortunately all the greats are going and not being replaced. This incredible performance just shows what the younger generations will miss unless they start to be properly trained and understand that great singing needs more than just a high note. Jessye is certainly one of the most important and best to aspire to as a role model.
Hers is the performance of "Liebestod" that brings me to tears of the deepest joy. Like whatever performance and performer you wish, I no longer need to imagine heavenly strain and song. It is here, in Jessye's voice. I am happy to be merely mortal.
@@gernz1000 I love Norman but all her recordings of this are way too slow. I grew up listening to the breathtaking Christa Ludwig's version and hers has always been perfect, for me. Please listen. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-LmmJWQ67tZE.html
Es imposible que la emoción al oirla no nos llene de admiración ante voz tan maravillosa y limpia.Se ha perdido una más entre las geandes damas del BELL CANTO
I will never (can never) forget watching the evening concert at the French Bicentennial celebration. Jessye Norman sang the Marseillaise and I did not fail to note that she, above all others, was entrusted with that great honor. And here she sings one of my favorite classical works from childhood. Aw... how sad to learn that she has passed away. She will always be an inspiration to everyone who is dedicated to the quest for excellence.
She is the American gift to the world of opera. I love her voice . It is a rich in tone and emotions that make her one the greatest opera singer in my life time.
Everytime I listen to Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde tears come to my eyes. Wagner was a blatant anti-semite and I am a Jew - and it makes absolutely no difference to me. Beautiful music is beautiful music
I too cry - I know not why. I can simply put it down to the power of music to move one's emotions. In a perverse way it makes me happy to cry to such wondrous music. I think I might be crying because I can not fill my life with such genius. Or, maybe, I cry because such genius in humanity is fleeting and ephemeral!
I find it easier to understand Wagner by understanding his situation. He was in constant turmoil, had a failing marriage, being ostracized for his political beliefs, and especially being in constant debt made Jews a scapegoat for him to blame for his misfortunes on. It’s just sad that such an inspired and brilliant composer was overcome with paranoia and bitterness most of his life. But I also wonder if this life is what was translated into the irreplaceable music that he wrote. It’s fascinating to think about.
@@boundary2580 ...is the right answer ! We’re all a mix of good and bad; if misguided and misled. But .... but .... walk with a stick and beware ... as if you walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Beware... always beware of that next fanaticism. Shalom my friend!
The music demands performance non pareil ... Here it is .. Such utterly beautiful control, expression, nuance, tenderness .. complete understanding & passion. Best rendition, little wonder that Salvador Dali left this world to this artistry -- Jessye was Diva ...
I could hardly breathe listening to this, it was so beautiful and emotional. Such a powerful, colorful singer with so much to give to us all. So very sad when she left us, but lives on through her beautiful voice! Sing in Peace
Marvellous Jessye Norman. I once heard Kirsten Flagstad live. Hearing Jessye Norman a few years later I believe she is the only singer with a remotely comparable voice, of effortless beauty and amplitude. Brava!
Except Birgit Nilsson (surprise) - I'm not saying better, but those three are the only three (so far?) who don't make me wish one of them were singing instead. For Norman, here, I do love Karajan's slow pacing - it leaves her such wonderful room to complete each phrase and let that magnificent voice continue to wring everything possible out of the music. I so wish she could have done a complete studio recording with a perfect supporting cast. I envy you your live Flagstadt!
Liebestod is my favorite classical music piece of all time for its incredible beauty. The versions by Flagstag and Leontyne Price were my favorites for a long time but when I heard Norman I could not believe it! Too wonderful for words! Perfection!
What an Instrument she possesses. It is like a Cathedral organ, a never ever ending variety of tone , timbre and nuance. I consider her the culimination of the black soprano/mezzo.
Marvelous. I've never heard anyone else who can even be compared to Flagstad's Liebestod. A little slow for my taste, but maybe they had the good sense to take it at a tempo where she could be fully expressive. I certainly would've been on my feet in the opera house after this one.
Just wonderful to have the chance to listen to this again. I was oh, oh so lucky to have heard her sing this many years ago at a BBC Prom, it was undoubtedly the highlight of my promming years.
How can 41 people give this a thumbs down. It's probably the greatest randition of this aria. Jessye Norman has set an ultra high bar for all dramatic sopranos.
One of the best nights of my life was watching Ms. Norman perform at Roy Thomson Hall In Toronto in the 1990s in her flowing green robe. She sang this piece from Wagner. O my goodness, I was elated….❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Her voice pierces the heart and the soul and lingers. Stately presence, a voice that mesmerizes and is at home in a variety of repertoires (soprano, contralto, mezzo), the interpretation haunts, whether Wagerer, Strauss (a vocal symbiosis), lieder or spirituals.." I am requesting her "Im Abendrot" at my memorial service. Her voice is with the angels, joining a select group (Sutherland, Caballe et al)--how lucky for heaven; here on earth her legacy endures. Thank you, Lohengrin, for the eclectic selection, a morsel of a delightful career.
In these times of growing despair. Being exposed, by choice, to this larger than life art. (as a whole) helps me to recognize what it is to "feel". Thank you.
She gave us all. She sang to the fullness and beyond. Her smile is contagious, and she shines. Her voice brings to point of no return - you have to continue how ever you can. A voice that is contagious. Thank you Jessie - you are love ....always
Ahhhh! So beautiful. Jessye, we are already missing you, Queen of the opera! Rest in peace, you are so loved! Thank you for the captions in both languages, very nicely done!!
omg, Jesse Normand as Isolde is so moving tears are starting. The Ring is my favorite set of operas,love Wagner, and am taking my 17 yr old grandson to watch Tristan und Isolde next month. We can hardly wait, I raised them like my fathrr did me listening to operas but especially Wagner.