Music video by Jessye Norman, Wiener Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan performing "Mild und leise wie er lächelt" (Isoldes Liebestod). (C) 2005 DOR Films
Watching her face at the end of this video, I cried. I had the good fortune to meet her backstage after a recital in San Francisco. She was so lovely, with such a tremendous personality, and I'll never, ever forget how she looked straight at me with those incredible eyes and gracious smile as she spoke to me and signed my program. She was incredible, immense, infinite. I'm a wreck right now... RIP, Jessye.
This woman was one of the greatest singers in American operatic history. Her voice and musicality were at the top of any scale of comparison. You don't get better opera singers than this. God rest her soul.
@@alexanderzaphir721 Voice types are abstract and developed; the human body comes in many shapes and sizes. Genetics doesn't use the concept of "Spinto", "Dramatic", "Coloratura"...that's a human invention called "Teachers" and "Roles". You get up there and do a better job!
@@mcrettable Nick, it's normal to eulogise the dead.. Especially such an incredible artist. Ms Norman was adored in life and it is fitting that she is venerated in death.
.This is, IMHO,...the greatest piece of music ever written. And this is the greatest interpretation ever. I believe Richard Wagner would have been pleases. RIP Jessye Norman....you brought so much joy into our lives..
She is among the great artists across the disciplines. She and Callas are perhaps the only two who can compare in their greatness as dramatic artists (and they sang vastly different literature) RIP oh great one, Jessye Norman.
Only Jessye Norman could make me love anything by Wagner….she is literally the only singer that has made it bearable. She was a towering talent-and I am not talking about her physical stature-with a superlative voice given to her by God which she used so wisely, intelligently, so musically that it jumps off the screen, LP, or CD.
She is phenomenal, but your comment seems strangely motivated.Beautifull music is not meant to be a burden, sorry you find it so traumatic when it is sung by others.Maybe you could show the other great singers how they can be more bearable.Somehow I am sure Jessye Norman would appreciate other performances with such god given beauty as her own.Genius like Jessye always has that class.
I am certain that The Metropolitan Opera House of New York City misses Lady Norman. I, personally, am haunted by her absence there. Yes, she was the World's GREATEST Dramatic Soprano...in a class all by herself - the most power voice of the opera houses of the World. JESSEYE NORMAN was one of the wonders of the World!
Very few artists can endure lengthy Wagner operas--Tristan and Isolde lasts hours but it seems to be like an hour long. It is totally 100% emotional experience. I DO NOT CRY EASILY but this makes me weep and weep.
Let's not get carried away. There is someone called Kirsten Flagstad to whom every soprano must yield. Norman's ratchety vibrato is a vocal flaw in any case. And who did the bizzaro choreography?
Ransom Coates for someone who evidently doesn’t care for the voice or singing of Ms. Norman, you sure seem to watch a lot of her videos here on RU-vid.
@Nancy Lee no she wasn't. It is a post lip sync clip with the sound of Karajan's studio recording around 20 years earlier. She is mimicking her own singing.
Sadly, I agree.😢 Now that Ms Norman has passed away, this video will get many views. I'm grateful this was beautifully produced. Even the poor-quality, copyright-infringement junk out there in RU-vidLand, will get plenty of views as well. Rest In Peace, Ms Jessye Norman.🎶
What an extraordinary delight to be able to hear her rendition of this beautiful piece. Madame Norman will always be present in our prayers and will be fondly remembered for the beauty of her artistry. X
Such power, craft, grace, and passion - I wish she were still here so that, if God willed and she still toured, I could see her and perhaps tell her how moving her work is. Rest in peace, and in power and as a queen, without question.
I believe Wagner wrote this beautiful music so that one day someone would come along and perform it as masterfully as Jesse Norman. Both were Masters of their craft, and this performance is a masterpiece.
maravillosa versión de de Jessy Norman, emocionada hasta las lágrimas. Y hoy me enteré de su fallecimiento. Pero su legado nunca morirá. Se fue una de las grandes.
I remember hearing you for the frist time, I listen none stop for hours, call mt sister told her about this beautiful voice I heard. She said to me I've heard her too, Jesseye Norman I was so happy she was a fan as well and we listen together. She passed in 2016. So thankful to have experience such a beautiful gift such as yours , you are truly missed but your music will live on in our hearts.
I agree with the below mentioned comment! She represents beauty , hope in the future , nothing will be more magnificent .... in the future, my future anyway. Bravissimo Jessye.
I am tremendously stupid? My comment was an observation about myself which I used to illustrate how much I enjoy Ms. Norman's performance. It does not mention any other individual, nor does it contemplate a presumption that I am able to appreciate the performance more than another. Perhaps you need to learn how to read with some accurate comprehension, because your hasty, mean-spirited, completely off-point reply makes you seem tremendously stupid.
Splendid sentiments YatesNYC, lovely, thank you! I've seen Ms. Norman at the Met as Sieglinde, never live as Isolde. Also had the great good fortune to see her around 1990 at Tanglewood. Elle est magnifique! Thanks again :)
I'm not religious but I've always feel like great art is the best proof for ultimate existence. And the Liebestod, when done right, is a great spiritual experience.
Magical, passionate, and unforgettable Madame Norman. If one had to die and go to heaven to listen to this remarkable diva, it would be gladly and willingly done by any means.
Dear God I'm reduced to tears every time... I can't look at her face without being overwhelmed, I can't watch her emote the music without it affecting my soul... I can't hear this, without being deconstructed...
No words can really describe You Jessey but I tell you when you sing a single tear will fall and the chills will run through Me all because of you And I thank you Rest with love and Souls 💜💜💜💜💜💃🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Tanta exquisita belleza me hace llorar. La voz de Jessye, combinada con la Filarmónica de Berlín, dirigida por el maestro von Karajan, son un regalo celestial. ❤❤❤
Well...and did you? It's something to like a particular part out of a Wagner opera. It's a different ballgame to listen to a the whole 3 hours and 45 minutes of Richard Wagner's Opera 'Tristan und Isolde' - and this is one of his "shorter" ones😅✌🏻
Esta area de Wagner es una de las mas dificiles de interpretar.Jessye es sin duda la mejor voz que he tenido el placer de haber oido.El gran Karajan sabia a quien contrataba para oir a Wagner.El mejor duo que he podido oir.Muchas gracias a los dos.Puede que con esta audicion que acabo de oir sea la numero 120.Me encanta.
This has to be the most powerful love song, aria ever! Before I read the translations, I thought this was abt creation-best version of this song, delivered with an absolute comfortability n clear familiarity.
I had the great pleasure of playing in a small orchestra accompanying Miss Norman at a benefit concert 8 or 10 years ago. I can honestly say it was one of the 3 or 4 most thrilling moments in a 40-year career. A video like this can only hint at the enormous power she has at her disposal. She used it enchantingly. Speaking of the video, I do wish the sound engineers would leave more of the dynamic contrast in. I suppose they remove it so we can listen to this on earbuds or in traffic without damaging our hearing, but so much of the drama lies in that contrast. Sigh.
"Jesus said to her: I am the resurrection and the life. The one who exercises Faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life; and everyone that is living and exercises Faith in me will never die at all. Do you believe this?" (John 11: 25, 26) RIP Madam
After Kirsten Flagstad’s iconic interpretation of “Liebestod”, I haven’t heard a rendition that is full of richness and warmth until I discovered this rendition by Jessye Norman. And now, we are losing a great Wagnerian voice once again. RIP, Maestra.
You reminded me of Edward G. Robinson listening to music as he went through the assisted suicide program in Soylent Green. This would have been a fantastic music choice.
Jessye Norman hace del momento de la muerte algo sublime y realmente muere cuando la canta! Es para mi la gran soprano porque además de la voz portentosa y bellísima, de la técnica vocal perfecta, entrega el alma en cada nota! Gracias Jessye por hacer vivir a mi corazón!!!
He oido por otras sopranos este tema pero me quedo sin duda alguna con Jessye Norman gran voz quiza la mejor que he oido es increible se queda uno traspuesto de la gran riqueza que tiene su voz.Karajan el gran maestro siempre la distinguia de una forma total y abdoluta.
The most beautiful declaration of love and at the same time, one of the most spectacular moments of Wagner's work and world opera. This same excerpt can be seen on RU-vid in a presentation by this magnificent singer Jessie Norman under the conduct of Karajan. He, who was always a stone statue when conducting, in that performance almost cried. How many times in our lives do we miss opportunities to declare our love to someone? Let's start doing this with those who are alive around us?
I wrote this tribute a week before Jessie Norman passed away. Life surprises us every day. I'm glad I declared my passion for her while she was between us. God bless you, dear Jessye.
This comment, along with this performance, made me cry. Beautifully said. Does anyone know what this video is from? There's no curtain closing so I assume this is not from a staged production of the Opera.
It's not her own and unique thing. But I love her in it, her meticulousness towards text - both musical and verbal, the way she squeezes it all from each and every vowel, each and every note, with the utmost ejoyment and love towards the author's music, and her exceptional ability to recreate it. Jessie Norman is a unique eperience to encounter. The last diva. The last huge musician on opera stage.
I always thought she was truly great when singing in german. Her best works (allthough all are great) are her interpretations of Wagner und Schubert in my opinion. There was something in her presence, her soul that perfectly captured the essence of german poems, ballads and songs.