Jessye Norman (1945 - 2019)

[kernelbogey]

She was no great age, either....

[ahinton]

This is very sad news. My thoughts went immediately to her recording of "Im Abendrot" but I don't think I could handle more than just listening to it inwardly. Hers was in many ways the most beautiful voice I've ever heard.

I could not agree more; beautifully expressed!

We will all have our memories of her, of course and, sadly, I only ever heard her live once, when she sang Erwartung with LSO (I think) conducted by Boulez. That great work can sometimes be susceptible to the risk of being treated as something of an hysterical expressionist screamfest but, in her hands, it was nothing of the kind - on the one hand restrained but, on the other, suggestive of the character embracing multiple personalities that made the whole an even morre fearsome experience than ever; as for Boulez, he brought out so many subtleties in that extraordinary and elaborate score that I was able to hear things that I'd not previously realised were there yet, again, with no exaggeration - just great sensitivity and near-perfect balance.

I acquired a copy of her recording of Gurrelieder when it was released and it's been well worn over the years.

RIP, Mæstra Jessye; thank you for every note.

[chairboy]

Indeed as others have said she had the most wonderful voice, I am so sad to read this news. I have many recordings of her from over the years, starting with Le Nozze di Figaro (BBC Symphony / Colin Davis) on LP where she sang the Contessa - this is still a favourite of mine. That said I have reached for Mahler Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Berlin Philharmonic / Bernard Haitink) for now.

She has given much pleasure over the years and her legacy will live on. RIP

[Bryn]

A great loss indeed. Her recording, with Colin Davis, of Der Abschied, from Das Lied von der Erde seems to me a fitting tribute. Would that it was her 1985 Proms performance with Jon Vickers and Simon Rattle but my cassette recording of that is long gone.

[Conchis]

Not sure why someone (in their high handed wisdom) has seen fit to move this to The Opera House. I specifically put it in Talking.....because she wasn’t “just” an opera singer (as the many allusions to Vier Letzte Lieder indicate) and many forumites have no interest in Opera, so wouldn’t visit that sub-section.

[Oakapple]

Radio 3 has just repeated the old joke about how she got stuck in doors and when told to turn sideways she replied that she had no sideways. She always denied saying that and sued (unsuccessfully) a magazine that printed the story.

[Conchis]

Radio 3 has just repeated the old joke about how she got stuck in doors and when told to turn sideways she replied that she had no sideways. She always denied saying that and sued (unsuccessfully) a magazine that printed the story.

Anyone who’s heard her interviewed would find it difficult to imagine her saying that. She seemed to lose her American accent during her years in Europe and never entirely recovered it when she returned.

I donn’t really blame her for suing, as the story - as well as being unlikely - got very wide currency and drew attention to her size. Unfortuantely, her legal action only gave it wider currency.

She wasn’t without humour, but she was clearly very serious about what she did.

[LHC]

I was fortunate enough to see her in Ariadne auf Naxos at the Royal Opera House, as well as in recital there. She was also a surprise guest at a Gala concert at ENO (I think it was to celebrate Lord Harewood’s retirement as Chairman) where she sang Dich Teure Halle to everyone’s delight. She stayed on for the after show party and was a delight. At the time I was working there as an usher, and she chatted to a group of us for quite some time. A few days later one of our number was in Harrods and bumped into her. She recognized him, and unbidden, she said hello and asked after him and the rest of the people she had met that night.

The first time I saw her was in a performance of Mahler’s 2nd at the RFH under Abaddo, where she and Lucia Popp were the soloists. It was my first experience of Mahler 2 and was really quite special.

[Conchis]

I also note that some funeral director manque has changed the title of the thread. It’s mean to be ‘Jessye Norman is Dead.’

[Bryn]

I also note that some funeral director manque has changed the title of the thread. It’s mean to be ‘Jessye Norman is Dead.’

A form of words which I feel should have been respected. One does not rest when dead, whether in peace or otherwise. One's body gets recycled, one way or another, over time. One lingers only in the memory of others and in any genetic and knowledge information one might pass on.

[gurnemanz]

I also note that some funeral director manque has changed the title of the thread. It’s mean to be ‘Jessye Norman is Dead.’

Likewise, I cannot see any justification for changing it. I also agree with Bryn's comments, such that if I should start an obituary thread in future I shall most likely avoid RIP.

[Pulcinella]

For me too the abiding memory will be her Ariadne at Covent Garden, but I was also lucky enough to see/hear her in Boston (Mahler, songs from Des Knaben Wunderhorn — I hope I'm remembering correctly; if so, it was shortly after she had recorded it with Haitink, but it was Colin Davis conducting in Boston). She was on her own in the Ritz later, and I thought it best to leave her undisturbed, but the following day I wished I had had the nerve to speak to here and/or ask her to sign the programme, since lost in one of many house moves.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Likewise, I cannot see any justification for changing it. I also agree with Bryn's comments, such that if I should start an obituary thread in future I shall most likely avoid RIP.

Ah! Guilty as charged. There were two JN threads that were merged, but with different headings. I simply clicked on one of them. Happy to revert to the other.

[Master Jacques]

Radio 3 has just repeated the old joke about how she got stuck in doors and when told to turn sideways she replied that she had no sideways. She always denied saying that and sued (unsuccessfully) a magazine that printed the story.

You don't expect accuracy from Ian Skelly, do you? He also managed to pronounce the Wesendonck song he programmed to show off her matchless soprano as "Trauma", though he did at least correct that after he'd played it!

[Orphical]

I have dipped in and out of R3 this morning in order to hear tributes to Ms Norman. At one point around 11 I had to listen to a rendition of a Radiohead song for cello and piano.
Jessye Norman was one of THE great voices of our times.
R3 should be devoting a day to her.
Listening to this drivel reminds me why I rarely listen to R3 today.
Where do serious music lovers go these days, especially if we need to mourn a legend?