Jessye Norman, opera singer - BBC HARDtalk 

This has been a great masterclass on how you can respond when people try to press you, defy you or make you feel uncomfortable with tricky questions and non sense statements . She always responded assertively with class and charm. Love her.

"Well they might write it, but darling I don't read it" What a legend 😅

She is absolutely brilliant. Class, charm, intellect, talent, humor, generosity, and honesty.

She is a queen. She not only performs her art, but the way she carries herself, she is her art

Ms. Norman was remarkably sophisticated. She had extraordinary confidence and loved herself inside and out because she recognized her God given talents and shared them with the world unashamedly .Brilliant Lady!

he is trying so hard to inject a narrative. He is not listening to her. She is the finest of an era.

Now I can bring myself to watch this after 6months of Jessye’s death. She was everything I loved in a human being. A dear friend. Rest darling.

She absolutely disarmed (I think, unintentionally) the BBC interviewer. Bravo, Jessye Norman!

Jessye Norman - what a wonderful human being.

I love her and I’m so remarkably sad she’s gone 😭😭😭😭😭♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

I love hearing her speak I’d pay to hear her read the phone book

Very intelligent and well articulated...she owned this interview despite the intentions of the interviewer

Priceless talent, voice and personality. I spent a Christmas eve in a restaurant she was dining and she got up and started singing Christmas carols with the pianist. That was absolutely fabulous and the true meaning of the season. A fascinating, elegant, sophisticated woman like we don't have too many anymore.

She was BRILLIANT. That interviewer didn’t deserve her presence and wisdom. She was giving a lecture on human kind but he didn’t let her finish. ...he even doubted if she was fluent in several languages. I wonder if he‘d have doubt the same if the guest was white. Long life to your soul, Jessye Norman. Blessings and good return.

Her finest moment in this entire interview was at 15:35 when she called him "Darling," thereby discounting all of his arrogance, stupidity and his inability to listen to one of the greatest artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.

She had the voice of a Goddess but alas a mortal human frame. Her voice will live on.

I am so proud of Ms. Norman,she can hold her on in any interview.

She was my first personal training client! Believe it or now, she found me on the Pennsysavers! I'm sure she only hired me because, being in the early nineties, there was no Google, and I had no idea of who she was. She was an amazing, funny, powerful woman, with a supernatural voice. Such a loss...

This guy wanted to keep reminding her of the segregation as if Jesseye forgot Anyway Thank you Queen Jessey for Your Amazing talent and mental fortitude Rest with ease and Love

What class, beauty, talent, sophistication, and intelligence!

Some people you can never imagine ever leaving us. Jessye Norman was one such person. I have always loved her, and I always will.

I love to hear her talking, not just singing. What an extraordinary woman!

When she speaks....she sings!

Can we get the interviewer to consider another career?

The interviewer is a total "philistine!" He needs to do his homework and be prepared to interview this her. She is a very educated woman.

Culture is universal she was part of that. Was fluent in several languages had great diction no attempt to sound “white” stop trying to put her into a pigeonhole.

I’m in awe. That was a wonderful way of answering everything. Absolutely charming and inspiring

A great artist. Her Sieglinde was brilliant. Her Liebestod with Karajan was incredible. Her Brunnhilde with the New York Philharmonic was great. Her Les Troyens was terrific. She is a legend.

I appreciate her articulation and her confidence as much as I love her singing.

Should be required listening for ALL America. Listened to this interview many times over the years. First time commenting.

It's obvious this reporter had an agenda but Ms. Norman wasn't having it. Such tact, confidence, intellect and poise in her presence. I bet she could've read him like a book, but she kept her dignity and saved his.

Ok, Hard Talk was supposed to be challenging, and sometimes it failed.Two things I noticed particularly, "Pigeon Holes are only interesting for pigeons" And if Jessye Norman ever called you 'darling' you were in deep and abiding trouble.

Just the fact that Jessye Norman was _on the stage_ in places where her race wasn’t represented in the orchestra, the cast, or the audience is _THE BIGGEST STATEMENT AGAINST RACISM SHE COULD HAVE MADE!!!_ And in the time since she began her professional career, there have been a large number of black singers who’ve had large to huge careers, and she definitely was an example to them and still can be now that she’s gone!

A woman of extraordinary dignity, intelligence and humanity, also possessing one of the greatest voices of the 20th century. R. I. P.

Beautiful iconic singer. RIP Her wonderful diction and speaking voice reminds me so much of Maya Angelou

I love this...Jessye was a true pioneer and amazing black woman. Rest in heaven.

The oppression was not in mind nor in my spirit. He just don’t get it.

I love Jesse Norman. She was an Icon for not just opera . She lifted up all of our spirits and brougt so much culture to her and our hearts to live by. Why does your weight ever become a standard by which anyone should just close their eyes and just open their ears and listen

As well as her extraordinary singing voice, Ms Norman's speech was precise and free of any strong accent, and her grammar exemplary. Truly a pleasure to hear both. Ms Norman's death is a great loss.

I had no idea that the wonderful Jessye Norman had passed away. I truly feel bereaved. Years ago when I was singing with the London Philharmonic Choir she came to record Brahms' German Requiem with us. I shall never forget the size and beauty of her voice soaring over us. Absolutely glorious!

Subtext: “As a black person how did you force yourself to like a Caucasian art form...because be really honest you prefer Gershwin and American songbook standards to that Opera ish...right...I mean why didn’t you just sing the music you’re supposed to sing”. Literally one of the most insulting interviews I’ve ever had displeasure to watch. La Norman was a lady throughout.

The interviewer is to entertainment and intelligent conversation what paint stripper is to haute cuisine. What a fabulous, triumphant, sensible, joyous person Jessye Norman is here - and what a beautiful artist.

She was simply born majestic. Smart, funny, elegant, incredibly beautiful and her astonishing voice.

I love how she keeps up her very high level throughout the whole interview. I wish I could do that.

An absolutely marvellous singer and an iconic, majestic human being. When I sadly heard of her death I immediately listened to her performance of the Tristan und Isolde Liebestod; I will never stop listening to her.

Elegant woman. May she rest in peace.

Indeed one of the most wonderful voice of Opera World!

God, how I miss her. Such a remarkable human being and beautiful lady.

MS. JESSYE NORMAN HAD A BRILLIANT MIND AS WELL AS A BRILLIANT VOICE!! SHE WAS BRILLIANT!!

Oh how I will miss Jessye Norman. What a breath of fresh air, what a well spoken woman, what an outstanding performer, what a real person she is despite her accolades. RIP Jessye.

Great voice, great spirit, great woman.

What a stunning and high class woman! And beautiful as ever! R.I.P.

What leadership, poise, class, wisdom, insight, illumination, beauty, skill, range, fair, standard of a this Iconic Performer and Superstar.

I met her in 1979 after her concert at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee. She and her entire program were brilliant; a highlight of this singer's undergraduate studies in Voice Performance. They held a "meet and greet" on stage immediately following her concert and I was fortunate to meet her, shake her hand and look into those huge, expressive eyes. A night I will never forget. Rest in peace, dear Jessye Norman. You live in all of us who sing.

American Blacks accomplishments and over achievements while facing brutal Government discrimination is beyond amazing. Special group of people they are

I met Ms Norman twice just by chance in a MAC Cosmetics store in Manhattan a little under 20 years ago. I just had to to let her know how much my mother and I admired her. She was approachable, polite, had a beautiful smile and lovely skin and was just a tiny bit haughty 😆 but who cares? Ms Norman had a great talent, a beautiful singing voice and she passionately gave herself to her craft in the classical opera genre. It was a pleasure to meet you Ms Norman all those years ago RIP

Hard to decide if her voice or her intelligence is her strength

I'd never heard her speak. What an enjoyable experience this was! The music clips make me want hear more of her art. xx

As a child - I went to Opera with my mother. I saw a large woman of color play a 14 year old Japanese girl - and I believed it so much I cried and sobbed. When I was a teenager, I saw an almost 6 foot woman in her 50s play a young Spanish woman in her 20s. And I believed her, and I cried from the sheer beauty of her voice. Opera is the last bastion of talent. Age, size nor color of skin can stop talent. It's the Olympics of singing. Only a few can do it. And if their names are Martino Arroyo, or Leontyne Price, or Joan Sutherland, or Jessye Norman - and they don't fit some racist, ageist, elitist critic's idea of a character because of lack of imagination and appreciation of talent - then that's the critic's problem - not mine. Opera will always be a place of Olympian gods of the voice to me.

Very disappointing interviewer, thankfully Ms.Norman is far more than her interviewer.

Love love love - can't say it enough - how much I loved Jessye Norman - always the picture of class and elegance. Such extraordinary talent and musicianship. Her performance in the Met Ring was galvanizing for me as a young singer.

I have just learned this. This is heartbreaking for me. I love you Jessye. Rest in Heaven.

She is awesome! Jeez...this interview should have been at least an hour if not 2 hours. So much experience, wit and wisdom to share.

What a delightful and inspirational person..... rest in peace dear Jessye ❤️

I listen to her in so many operas she has such a wonderful voice

The world will certainly miss this voice. Bravo Ms. Norman, wherever you are now!!!

I just loved her. I had the privilege of being on stage with her at the MET in Ariadne auf Naxos. She was Ariadne and I was Echo, standing on that tall, rolling platform that looked down on her. Too bad I was so young at 23 and really did not understand what I was experiencing as a young artist. I love hee attitude, she did not take oppression into her being. It did not stop her.

Jessye is incredibly educated. She has a Masters in music and honorary doctorates from some of the greatest English-speaking universities: Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Yale, Julliard and many more. I normally don't respect honorary doctorates but based on this interview, they're well-deserved.

What a magnificent person. I melt into tears when I hear her sing, I didn't realise how strong she was

Jessie wasn’t having anyone try to sway her from what she believes. I miss her spirit!!! Legend!

I miss her presence so much.

This Interviewer seemed to very fixed on race. Dont understand why he suggested that she should try hip hop what an insult.

Mrs. Norman has extra-ordinary talent, A great legend. We miss you Jessye.

Wonderful voice, talent, intellect and personality. Brilliant woman. R. I. P. Ms Norman.

What a class act! The ignorant interviewer was no match for her responses..she was so far above his stupid questions. "Darling they may write it, but I don't read it." LOL. I love you Jessye. You will be greatly missed! RIP!!! BRAVA!!!

BBC: YOU WERE OPPRESSED Jesse: The oppression was not in my mind. BBC: YOU WERE OPPRESSED Jessey: I never allowed myself to be oppressed. BBC: HOW DARE U LEAVE THE idealogical PLANTATION? Jessey: I never allowed myself to be definied by your toxicity.

Brilliant!!! She is smart and one of the most amazing opera voice! That ever graced this planet.

Smart, humble and confident woman..she corrected that close minded interviewer who seemed to be puzzled as to why she didn't sing r&b or soul music coming from the 50s & 60s and focusing so much on race rather than her talent

I go back to this interview periodically to get inspiration 😊

Her Majesty has spoken!

Love her. The world did not deserve this woman

This woman was A WALKING SUN; you can't avoid feeling attracted to her magnetism

Not being able to see her perform is a big life regret...

Wow! Amazingly inspirational!!!❤️ I need to learn more about her!

Her voice was wonderful. RIP

I love this lady. Intelligent and interlectual and far too bright for the bbc... 🔆🔆🙏😘

R.I.P the Great. Thanks, you males our lives much better. 🌹💐🥇👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙇🙏

“Darling they might write it, but I don’t read it” she doesn’t need it !! what do you think she is going to start snapping her fingers in anger. JN is as graceful and fierce as her voice. Love her.

What an extraordinary woman. Eloquent, talented, and well grounded. So missing, in our times.

"But you see that wasn't my thought." LOL you go girl! "...Have we? I was just getting warmed up!" Regal/ Elegant/ Powerful/ Fascinating/Brilliant... She is too much. And this is the first time I've looked into her. Wow!

That is a very interesting woman who gave a lot of insight into her personality. I enjoyed it.

I thought the questions asked were excellent, not stupid or anything. They gave this woman an opportunity to champion womens rights and highlight everyday sexism. He was respectful and she was elegant, clever, and inspiring.

One of the greatest singers of the world.

A rare and humble person despite being so extraordinarily talented.

I have watched Hardtack many times and this is the first time I have seen the otherwise brilliant interviewer Stephen Sackur awed by the person he was interviewing. And the gift to us of that was he gave Jessye Norman the opportunity to display her humanity, wit, brilliance, dignity and the reminder of what a great soul she was.

Stunning talent, amazing woman, and brilliant mind. A tour de force!!!

I find myself smiling as she talks. She was so charming, witty, and warm, inviting, despite her regality. And yes, I too was just getting warmed up when I realised that 24 minutes so quickly flew.

Thank you for sharing this is just wonderful interview ! In memoriam Jessye Norman ...

I love opera and I’ve had the pleasure of seeing her in concert twice and each time she was magnificent!

What a magnanimous, ingratiating, regal persona has she... and charmingly quick-witted, with a lovely accent to boot.