@SsteinwayS She always said she doesn't prefer to classify her voice. She definitely has sung parts and music throughout the voice parts. She is generally listed as a soprano, though.
@peduzzi89 Generally...I think having that sense of mystery is fun. It's interesting, since Cecilia Bartoli (completely different voice though!) has a huge range too and sings TONS of soprano roles, but she firmly asserts that she's a mezzo! :) Voices are truly personal and unique instruments.
I'm going to agree with the video description. definitely mezzo. a mezzo with an extension into the soprano range, but definitely a mezzo. I do love some of her soprano work such as Isolde and the rest of her Strauss and Wagnerian works, but the timbre of her voice is unmistakably mezzo.
@raigekimaru Yeah, I would say so too :) But it all depends on how you identify yourself. Some people like to keep that aura or mystery about them...deservedly...labels can be limiting!
SERIOUSLY? That's crazy...Cecilia Bartoli has sung up to Eb above soprano C too, but she's on the lighter colouratura side of the wide-ranged mezzo-soprano!
Ms Norman is a type of dramatic soprano called a Falcon. it's basically a dramatic soprano voice that is even darker and huskier than that of the "usual" dramatic. because of that, Falcons indeed do have a timbre very close to that of a mezzo-soprano, however, Falcons are indeed sopranos. Ms Norman is an EXCELLENT prototype of this type of voice.
No problem! Jessye Norman is a wonderful singer...and it's so great to hear her talk about herself and her music as well because it just so happens that she's an amazing person too!
@SsteinwayS That's true !! I can't find a recent interview she gave for Arte, the French/German channel, which followed her up to Morrocco, where she talked about her art and life.. If you hear about it, please let me know !!!
I haven't heard that very often; she often sings mezzo parts like Ariadne I think, and in most things I've read, she's regarded as a mezzo or a dramatic soprano. Voice type is subjective though...the boundaries between everything are so subjective...and hers has never been an easy one to "define" (and she doesn't want to label herself anyway).
I've gotten the composer and Ariadne confused! But yes, she has sung both and remains elusive about her voice...much like Bartoli, who sings a variety of music that jumps all over the place! However Bartoli and Norman have very different voices and Bartoli is OK "labelling" herself a mezzo...
she's a dramatic saprano get into it...
ronfast 7 months ago
@ronfast She's a dramatic EVERYTHING! :P Handel to Bizet to Verdi to Wagner to spirituals...what can't she sing?
SsteinwayS 6 months ago
She's a soprano not a Mezzo
peduzzi89 1 year ago
@peduzzi89 Depends on how you look at it, but only she knows where she's comfortable!
SsteinwayS 1 year ago
@SsteinwayS She always said she doesn't prefer to classify her voice. She definitely has sung parts and music throughout the voice parts. She is generally listed as a soprano, though.
peduzzi89 1 year ago
@peduzzi89 Generally...I think having that sense of mystery is fun. It's interesting, since Cecilia Bartoli (completely different voice though!) has a huge range too and sings TONS of soprano roles, but she firmly asserts that she's a mezzo! :) Voices are truly personal and unique instruments.
SsteinwayS 1 year ago
I'm going to agree with the video description. definitely mezzo. a mezzo with an extension into the soprano range, but definitely a mezzo. I do love some of her soprano work such as Isolde and the rest of her Strauss and Wagnerian works, but the timbre of her voice is unmistakably mezzo.
PS: 6:13; omg was that an Eb!
raigekimaru 1 year ago
@raigekimaru Yeah, I would say so too :) But it all depends on how you identify yourself. Some people like to keep that aura or mystery about them...deservedly...labels can be limiting!
SERIOUSLY? That's crazy...Cecilia Bartoli has sung up to Eb above soprano C too, but she's on the lighter colouratura side of the wide-ranged mezzo-soprano!
SsteinwayS 1 year ago
Ms Norman is a type of dramatic soprano called a Falcon. it's basically a dramatic soprano voice that is even darker and huskier than that of the "usual" dramatic. because of that, Falcons indeed do have a timbre very close to that of a mezzo-soprano, however, Falcons are indeed sopranos. Ms Norman is an EXCELLENT prototype of this type of voice.
spinto12 1 year ago
A very rare voice indeed...extremely special, and what a great woman to go with it!
SsteinwayS 1 year ago
@SsteinwayS by the way, thank you for uploading the video!
spinto12 1 year ago
No problem! Jessye Norman is a wonderful singer...and it's so great to hear her talk about herself and her music as well because it just so happens that she's an amazing person too!
SsteinwayS 1 year ago
@spinto12 I totally agree with your analysis !
breton2 1 year ago
@breton2 She's fabulous anyway :)
SsteinwayS 1 year ago
@SsteinwayS That's true !! I can't find a recent interview she gave for Arte, the French/German channel, which followed her up to Morrocco, where she talked about her art and life.. If you hear about it, please let me know !!!
breton2 1 year ago
@breton2 Hmmm...sounds familiar...I'll definitely let you know! :)
SsteinwayS 1 year ago
@SsteinwayS Wow !! That would be great... I'll search for it as well... Will keep in touch.. It was broadcast 2 years ago, I think..
breton2 1 year ago
@breton2 Hehe sure :)
SsteinwayS 1 year ago
she is a very versatile dramatic soprano
Shanniquitie 2 years ago 2
She certainly is! :)
SsteinwayS 2 years ago
Actually Jesseye Norman is a Wagnerian Soprano; not a mezzo.
VerdiT09 2 years ago 3
I haven't heard that very often; she often sings mezzo parts like Ariadne I think, and in most things I've read, she's regarded as a mezzo or a dramatic soprano. Voice type is subjective though...the boundaries between everything are so subjective...and hers has never been an easy one to "define" (and she doesn't want to label herself anyway).
SsteinwayS 2 years ago
She has mainly sung soprano parts, but also mezzo parts like Carmen and even the alto solo in Mahler's 3rd symphony (under Claudio Abbado).
P.S. Ariadne (as in Strauss' Ariadne) is a soprano role.
JPD060486 2 years ago 2
I've gotten the composer and Ariadne confused! But yes, she has sung both and remains elusive about her voice...much like Bartoli, who sings a variety of music that jumps all over the place! However Bartoli and Norman have very different voices and Bartoli is OK "labelling" herself a mezzo...
SsteinwayS 2 years ago
Agreed, even her accent has started to become German!
KMO325 2 years ago 4
Ms. Norman, you are amazing in every aspect. You speak and sing beautifully. Long live Jessye Norman!!!
bluehearts310 2 years ago 4
she´s lovely!!
:D
I just adore her
MademoiselleGore 2 years ago 7
she's the best!!!
newhotmailit 2 years ago 6