she is just captivating........ and you are being kind saagua...... cannot believe that there were no more up to her standards around at the time..........pity......
Thomas' recording of Siegfried is noteworthy as he recorded the Act I thinking for him it was a only a rehearsal. Gerhard Stolze was a last minute replacement for Mime and had only a single day available. Karajan told Thomas to mark the first act as all they needed was Mime's music and they could fill him in later. At the end of the Act I they listened to the tape and Karajan said something to the effect that is sounded good and it was a take. This story was confirmed by Thomas.
Just as she did with Elisabeth, Dido, Ariadne, Countess Almaviva, Leonore, Alceste, Kundry, Jocasta as well as many others, Jessye Norman set a masterfull standard for Sieglinde that may never be reached again.
Jess is the best, despite his age, and a true Wagnerian at that. There is a difference between singing the notes 'loud enough' and doing so with the timbre of a true Wagnerian.
I believe that Jessye Norman was a skilled Wagnerian soprano; she may not fit the classic Wagnerian voice but she had solid technique, excellent German diction and the right temperament and style of singing Wagner. In the 80's she was absolutely amazing in Wagner and in German opera. Her Salome on recording is really quite wonderful as well.
Dang. I can't help wishing that Thomas would have taken it easier upon the heavy heldentenor roles, especially Siegfried and Tristan. He was a fine singer and artist, but he pushed his strong, handsome voice too hard and too often.
Even though Jess Thomas is almost over the hill here there is a great nobility of tone and genuine quality for Wagnerian tenors that remains. One can hear a truly great artist once filled this voice. And Jessye is as wonderful as always. She is perhaps the last of the great Divas.
Jess Thomas' great virtue was also a problem. He was very aggressive both in his singing and accepting engagements. At one point in the mid seventies, he included 22 Tristans in 10 months, a pace that another professional singer thought was just plain too much.
I think that he and Jon Vickers were unquestionably the greatest Wagnerian tenors of their time and both superior to Melchior.
Listen to his DGG Siegfried to hear some great singing.
@highrun46 Only part I disagree with is saying Vickers and Thomas were superior to Melchior. There wasn't an ideal heldentenor voice like Melchior's before he came along and there really hasn't been one since although thise two and James King came close.
@highrun46 I agree with you Thomas and Vickers were the greatest wagnerian tenors of their time!!! i was reading a interview with Birgit Nilson where someone ask her about singing next to big voices and she mentioned only two singers Thomas and Vickers
There has been no one greater as Lohengrin than Jess Thomas, surpassing even Domingo and Heppner. Beginng even with the very first Swan Song in his recording (with Kempe conducting), it will blow you away.
Thomas not quite up to the level of Norman, clearly, but still the two are so much better than the recent duo of Meier and Lehman at the Met (April, 2009) that there is no comparison.
I agree. This should have been included on the DVD. Funny how the passing of time brings greater clarity in judging the merit of a great singer's performance. Thomas, even past his prime, could give a lesson in helden singing to some of the new tenors in this rep who sound so pushed, swallowed, weak on the attack and just plain flat. Bravi.
@saagua1953 Don't be silly, the man is one of the greatest heldentenor's of all times... he is in his 60's years of age in this video... this performance is a physiological miracle! The mans heart may have burst! However, 3:38 ... speechless... Ms Norman is a vocal Titan... speechless..
Ok, thanks. It makes me mad that they would elect to truncate such an awesome performance as this from the DVD! It really wouldn't have hurt to put the entire gala on a 2 DVD set even if it were slightly pricier as most classical DVDs are pricy to begin with.
Traubel, Flagstad, Melchior, Nilsson, Thomas, and Norman were vocal giants. No matter how talented the singers of today are, they simply cannot compare to these legendary giants.
His voice has lost some of it's earlier freshness, but he is still great. Jessye Norman is magnificent! Would that we had singers of this stature today.
There is Stemme, Deborah Voigt etc why always say, if only we had those people now? there are good singers... you just have to go into the opera houses...
I agree, Wagnerian Voices (heldentenors, wagnerian sopranos and heldenbaritons (dramatic bass baritones)) are quite rare so it's a big deal to hear wagnre song by one the appropriate voice type
Also there are various types of Heldens, and Jess was always the lower type, Tristan Seigmund, Parsifal (in my opinion his best role) as opposed to Seigfried, Walter, Tannhauser and Lohengrin.
Brilliant. I agree, Jessye Norman's voice is big....but that's standard for Wagner. One thing is fore sure (SURE being the operative word) she isn't off by so much of a fraction....not sharp or flat in the least. Can I say the same for many who sing/sang that role? In fact, Ms. Norman's consistent accuracy is proof of her meticulous preparation. Thomas is there for the sage-effect....the voice is well beyond former glory. But hat's off to a great singer nonetheless.
Norman's voice is a little heavy for Siegelinde--she's more suited to Brunhilde. And Thomas sounds a little strained in this excerpt--unlike his stunning Lohengrin recording with Anja Silja. But Norman and Thomas still make pretty spectacular music together in this video.
Many a Siegelinde has sang Brunhilde and Brunhilde sang Siegelinde... they both need to be equally large as do all Wagnerian voices. But they don't only have to be large voices, but they need lots of stamina for those God-awful long periods of singing. Otherwise they'd be washed completely out by that massive orchestra.
Marjorie Lawrence often sang the role of Siegelinde opposite Kirsten Flagstad as Brunhilde at the Metropolitan in the mid-1930s and early 1940s, and they often switched roles, Lawrence singing Brunhilde to Flagstad's Siegelinde. Sadly, this practice ended when Flagstad left the United States during WWII and Marjorie Lawrence fell victim to polio and seldom appeared in opera again.
Hers is one of the finest instruments to every grace the operatic stage or lent a voice to Wagner's heroines. May GOD almighty have mercy on your poor soul
heihitler: then you & your sick neonazi fellas claim freedom of speech in lieu of abusive nonsense and vile slandering ha? Just beware of this: like your former Reich bowers you'll pay for each racist attack you propel(verbal or not). And that'll happen much quicker than you think since the world justice has finally become less tolerant to the output of social diseases like you.
dear boipussi don't you hear something? are you without ears? jessye is the speciallest women, singer! i love her voice i really like her acting, even on concert like that. we like you, jessye, very much!
PLEASE DON'T READ THIS. You will get kissed on the nearest possible Friday by the love of your life. Tomorrow will be the best day of your life. However, if you don't post this comment to at least 3 videos, you will die within 2 days. Copy and paste this, to be saved.
I love that observation. I think she would love it, too. I sang for her in a Master class once. She is very gracious and honest about what she looks like. She can sing her arse off!! She knows that too.
What about the small rest of this splendid duet? It physically hurts to listen to the scene cut off like that. The best bit is from "Wehwalt heisst du fürwar? and the rest of the scene
I am a longtime fan of Jessye Norman's and saw every opera she performed at the MET, including her debut on opening night of the Centennial season and this gala.
This is not on the commercial version of the Centennial Gala; lost to future generations as a complete historical document and extraordinary Jessye Norman performance (Thomas was not anywhere near as "bad" as those who chose to omit the clip might profess).
Jess Thomas was certainly great in his day, but in this performance he was vocally threadbare.
vocalissimo1 6 months ago
Jess Thomas' voice is almost gone. There's a beat in the voice much like Dame Joan.
chatbud 9 months ago
she is just captivating........ and you are being kind saagua...... cannot believe that there were no more up to her standards around at the time..........pity......
katharinehoad123 9 months ago 2
today i heard Deborah Voigt, and sadly I miss Jessye.I turned off the radio and turned to YOu Tube.
How fortunate the singers are to have James Levine, and vice versa. He should conserve his health to perform more Wagner.
I'd also like to see the puppet horses from War Horse added to the staging!
hraisz1 9 months ago
Why not the whole thing?
JeeRant 10 months ago
¡¡¡GRANDIOSOS, REALMENTE ESTAN MAGNIFICOS!!! Ella me parece Mo-
numental, Una Soberbia Cantante y Artista, y El, mas alla del paso de los
años, esta Magnifico, tanto como, Un Gran Cantante, como Un Exelente
Artista. ¡¡¡Un Verdadero Momento De Gran Vuelo. Estan Soberbios!!!
55werther 11 months ago
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Jesse Thomas was the only person born in Hot Spings SD who was an opera singer and he was also a relative of my children, we are very proud of him.
ellenbish 1 year ago
Jesse Thomas is the only person from HOt Springs SD who was an opera singer and he was related to my children, we are very proud of him
ellenbish 1 year ago
More, please!
wTrevorh 1 year ago
Jessye can really sing this--I love it!!
georgerannie 1 year ago
Thomas' recording of Siegfried is noteworthy as he recorded the Act I thinking for him it was a only a rehearsal. Gerhard Stolze was a last minute replacement for Mime and had only a single day available. Karajan told Thomas to mark the first act as all they needed was Mime's music and they could fill him in later. At the end of the Act I they listened to the tape and Karajan said something to the effect that is sounded good and it was a take. This story was confirmed by Thomas.
highrun46 1 year ago
Levine hace explotar a la orquesta!!! tiene una increible pasion cuando conduce es un genio!!!
La voz de Thomas es tan grande como bella!!!
ezev8logos 1 year ago
Just as she did with Elisabeth, Dido, Ariadne, Countess Almaviva, Leonore, Alceste, Kundry, Jocasta as well as many others, Jessye Norman set a masterfull standard for Sieglinde that may never be reached again.
omar505 1 year ago
Jess is the best, despite his age, and a true Wagnerian at that. There is a difference between singing the notes 'loud enough' and doing so with the timbre of a true Wagnerian.
bevbac 1 year ago
Comment removed
bevbac 1 year ago
I believe that Jessye Norman was a skilled Wagnerian soprano; she may not fit the classic Wagnerian voice but she had solid technique, excellent German diction and the right temperament and style of singing Wagner. In the 80's she was absolutely amazing in Wagner and in German opera. Her Salome on recording is really quite wonderful as well.
AmericanEvita 1 year ago
Dang. I can't help wishing that Thomas would have taken it easier upon the heavy heldentenor roles, especially Siegfried and Tristan. He was a fine singer and artist, but he pushed his strong, handsome voice too hard and too often.
stevevandien 2 years ago
Even though Jess Thomas is almost over the hill here there is a great nobility of tone and genuine quality for Wagnerian tenors that remains. One can hear a truly great artist once filled this voice. And Jessye is as wonderful as always. She is perhaps the last of the great Divas.
MaestroJosephShore 2 years ago
Jess Thomas' great virtue was also a problem. He was very aggressive both in his singing and accepting engagements. At one point in the mid seventies, he included 22 Tristans in 10 months, a pace that another professional singer thought was just plain too much.
I think that he and Jon Vickers were unquestionably the greatest Wagnerian tenors of their time and both superior to Melchior.
Listen to his DGG Siegfried to hear some great singing.
There are great singers today, but none better.
highrun46 2 years ago
@highrun46 Only part I disagree with is saying Vickers and Thomas were superior to Melchior. There wasn't an ideal heldentenor voice like Melchior's before he came along and there really hasn't been one since although thise two and James King came close.
kmillard 1 year ago
@highrun46 I agree with you Thomas and Vickers were the greatest wagnerian tenors of their time!!! i was reading a interview with Birgit Nilson where someone ask her about singing next to big voices and she mentioned only two singers Thomas and Vickers
ezev8logos 1 year ago
I am a great admirer of Jessye Norman and very thankful of this video.
I am blessed to be able to listen to music like this. Thank, GOD!
omatsu123 2 years ago
感動しました。涙が出ました。
彼女の歌を聴くといつも勇気と元気を得るのですが、いったい彼女の強さと美しさの元は何なのでしょう。
こういう音楽を聴くことができるのは至福です。
omatsu123 2 years ago
Jess Thomas was 56 years old in 1983.
I give him credit fro trying and Norman is wonderful but in this music IMO it is Lotte Lehmann and Lauritz Melchior.
65attila 2 years ago
I was in a Wagner Opera with Jess in 1974 in Chicago. In what year was this concert given?
Arrow
bestmaster3 2 years ago
He was really old here i think no? He died 8 years after this i think.
ahmad123987 2 years ago
There has been no one greater as Lohengrin than Jess Thomas, surpassing even Domingo and Heppner. Beginng even with the very first Swan Song in his recording (with Kempe conducting), it will blow you away.
voronparis 2 years ago
Except James King.
Obaysch 2 years ago
My God, what's with the vibrato? Why so much pushing in what is a lyrical, love aria?
lalucelangue 2 years ago
Thomas not quite up to the level of Norman, clearly, but still the two are so much better than the recent duo of Meier and Lehman at the Met (April, 2009) that there is no comparison.
saagua1953 2 years ago 3
Well Thomas is clearly well past his prime here... however he was once a very great singer. Very great indeed.
sleepinglikebaby 2 years ago
I agree. This should have been included on the DVD. Funny how the passing of time brings greater clarity in judging the merit of a great singer's performance. Thomas, even past his prime, could give a lesson in helden singing to some of the new tenors in this rep who sound so pushed, swallowed, weak on the attack and just plain flat. Bravi.
yes4albert 2 years ago
@saagua1953 Don't be silly, the man is one of the greatest heldentenor's of all times... he is in his 60's years of age in this video... this performance is a physiological miracle! The mans heart may have burst! However, 3:38 ... speechless... Ms Norman is a vocal Titan... speechless..
TheWisemonkey8 9 months ago
"Die Valkure" (1870) is an opera composed by Richard Wagner (1813-83)
Oslo1973 3 years ago
who composed the song "Die Valkure"
ritualcompleter 3 years ago
When was this recorded?
MissLimLam 3 years ago
This is from the MET-Centennial-Gala in October 1983.
100Singers 2 years ago
Great, great Jessye Norman...
yodavidnavarro 3 years ago
why doesnt this performance appear on the Met Centennial Gala DVD?
Electpaul 3 years ago
This performance looks like it came from the Metropolitan Opera's Centennial Gala in 1983. Can anyone confirm this? Jessye is stunning as usual!
tristanhnl 3 years ago 2
That's correct. Why it's not included in the DVD of the Gala I'm not sure. Thomas sounds a little dry, but Norman is on fire.
Jokanaan 3 years ago
Ok, thanks. It makes me mad that they would elect to truncate such an awesome performance as this from the DVD! It really wouldn't have hurt to put the entire gala on a 2 DVD set even if it were slightly pricier as most classical DVDs are pricy to begin with.
tristanhnl 3 years ago
Traubel, Flagstad, Melchior, Nilsson, Thomas, and Norman were vocal giants. No matter how talented the singers of today are, they simply cannot compare to these legendary giants.
jimthewriter 3 years ago 5
I disagree, Ben Heppner will open up a vocal can of WHOOP-ASS on Jess Thomas!
jhgreenhorn 2 years ago
His voice has lost some of it's earlier freshness, but he is still great. Jessye Norman is magnificent! Would that we had singers of this stature today.
jimthewriter 3 years ago
There is Stemme, Deborah Voigt etc why always say, if only we had those people now? there are good singers... you just have to go into the opera houses...
wotansings 3 years ago 3
I don't think Jess Thomas sounds so bad here.
Compare this to what has been passing for helden tenor these days and he sounds fresh and strong.
Norman is Norman. One of the greatest singes ever.
lovelymess 4 years ago 2
I agree, Wagnerian Voices (heldentenors, wagnerian sopranos and heldenbaritons (dramatic bass baritones)) are quite rare so it's a big deal to hear wagnre song by one the appropriate voice type
raigekimaru 3 years ago
Yep,
Also there are various types of Heldens, and Jess was always the lower type, Tristan Seigmund, Parsifal (in my opinion his best role) as opposed to Seigfried, Walter, Tannhauser and Lohengrin.
lovelymess 3 years ago
whos the maestro
Kinglondie 4 years ago
the maestro is James Levine. conductor and pianist.
pinkstrawberrypuding 4 years ago
Jess Thomas passed away quite a few years ago.
BelliniNorma1 4 years ago
Brilliant. I agree, Jessye Norman's voice is big....but that's standard for Wagner. One thing is fore sure (SURE being the operative word) she isn't off by so much of a fraction....not sharp or flat in the least. Can I say the same for many who sing/sang that role? In fact, Ms. Norman's consistent accuracy is proof of her meticulous preparation. Thomas is there for the sage-effect....the voice is well beyond former glory. But hat's off to a great singer nonetheless.
Archsorceror 4 years ago 2
Norman's voice is a little heavy for Siegelinde--she's more suited to Brunhilde. And Thomas sounds a little strained in this excerpt--unlike his stunning Lohengrin recording with Anja Silja. But Norman and Thomas still make pretty spectacular music together in this video.
foothillsbear 4 years ago
Many a Siegelinde has sang Brunhilde and Brunhilde sang Siegelinde... they both need to be equally large as do all Wagnerian voices. But they don't only have to be large voices, but they need lots of stamina for those God-awful long periods of singing. Otherwise they'd be washed completely out by that massive orchestra.
urgrad03 4 years ago 2
Marjorie Lawrence often sang the role of Siegelinde opposite Kirsten Flagstad as Brunhilde at the Metropolitan in the mid-1930s and early 1940s, and they often switched roles, Lawrence singing Brunhilde to Flagstad's Siegelinde. Sadly, this practice ended when Flagstad left the United States during WWII and Marjorie Lawrence fell victim to polio and seldom appeared in opera again.
karlakor 4 years ago
And don't forget Helen Traubel (who even recorded both roles in the same recording!!!)
There is another first act with her conducted by Toscanini, this is how Wagner could (should) sound!
wotansings 3 years ago
Those recording were my interduction to Wagner . They still stand out as great.
tenorismo 3 years ago
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What's that fat Nigger doing singing Wagner?
heilhitler8888 4 years ago
Hers is one of the finest instruments to every grace the operatic stage or lent a voice to Wagner's heroines. May GOD almighty have mercy on your poor soul
powerinpraise2000 4 years ago 2
heihitler: then you & your sick neonazi fellas claim freedom of speech in lieu of abusive nonsense and vile slandering ha? Just beware of this: like your former Reich bowers you'll pay for each racist attack you propel(verbal or not). And that'll happen much quicker than you think since the world justice has finally become less tolerant to the output of social diseases like you.
soundfond 4 years ago
Since Divonne, France, then Geneva, since the very beginnings Jessy is "the" Lady and the only one holding her Great voice!!!! Eduardo, Buenos Aires
igualnimp 4 years ago
my license plate is WALKURE
Neschker 4 years ago
dear boipussi don't you hear something? are you without ears? jessye is the speciallest women, singer! i love her voice i really like her acting, even on concert like that. we like you, jessye, very much!
paya16 4 years ago
please please give the dates...that would be so helpful. I would like to know, for example how old Jess Thomas is here.Anyway thanks
vickersman 4 years ago
I think this was from the Met Centennial in 1983 -- pretty sure Thomas was born in 1927, so he'd be well into his fifties here --
stevevandien 4 years ago
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PLEASE DON'T READ THIS. You will get kissed on the nearest possible Friday by the love of your life. Tomorrow will be the best day of your life. However, if you don't post this comment to at least 3 videos, you will die within 2 days. Copy and paste this, to be saved.
jj131131 5 years ago
"She looks like a beatiful mountain."
boipussi 5 years ago
I love that observation. I think she would love it, too. I sang for her in a Master class once. She is very gracious and honest about what she looks like. She can sing her arse off!! She knows that too.
trenell31 5 years ago
Bonnisoli...your name makes me cringe lol
slimdawg03 5 years ago
What about the small rest of this splendid duet? It physically hurts to listen to the scene cut off like that. The best bit is from "Wehwalt heisst du fürwar? and the rest of the scene
Caskader 5 years ago
the amazing Jesse Norman singing Wagner. Thank you for posting this!!!
nyfootboy 5 years ago
Why do they do that ? ommit things noticed that on met dvds ,
ok some of these legends are past ther prime but hey, let the fans decide! anyway as a pro singer i ve heard way worse from our so call current stars
bonnisolli 5 years ago
I am a longtime fan of Jessye Norman's and saw every opera she performed at the MET, including her debut on opening night of the Centennial season and this gala.
This is not on the commercial version of the Centennial Gala; lost to future generations as a complete historical document and extraordinary Jessye Norman performance (Thomas was not anywhere near as "bad" as those who chose to omit the clip might profess).
Many thanks for posting this!
jetjaguar 6 years ago