Jessye Norman interviewed by Patrick Watson

This interview was conducted a few days prior to the NY Philharmonic opening of the 1989-90 season.

[@baritonebynight]

Her smile was so infectious, her speaking voice nearly as moving as her singing voice.....there will never be another Ms. Norman.

[@leshaunda]

Never be another one

[@alcraw2551]

Jealousy is a monster and the ignorance of so many commenting on her accent speaks of the shallowness of much of humanity. Thank you Ms. Norman you have done very well, even your haters can't resist your charm, sweetness and beauty.

[@dalredmond5879]

Jessye is so engaging. Her talent is beyond belief. I could listen to her speak and sing for hours.

[@wonieblue1657]

I know I've watched this interview so many times because of her smile and Voice

[@jayt4835]

I absolutely agree!

[@CliftonEarlHill]

I love the way she speaks!!!

[@boblowney]

what a treasure! we were so blessed to have her on this planet for the time she was here.

[@liz2084]

I remember the first time I saw this beautiful woman singing on tv; it was a PBS special. I was 10 or 11 years old and was mesmerized with her powerful voice. I was introduced to the world of Opera thank you Jessye Norman RIP

[@wonieblue1657]

PBS always payed respects to Jessye that's how I knew of this Magnificent Woman

[@nicgagnon6780]

It's so touching to come back to these interviews now. Rest in power and peace, beautiful soul.

[@powerliftingcentaur]

God, she is just wonderful.

[@georgealderson4424]

What a privilege to have heard and still be able to hear Miss Norman singing but a bonus to listen to her in all her modesty

[@luismanuel-tena]

She was not only pure art but also a wonderful human being.

[@wonieblue1657]

Her singing overwhelms Us that we forget how beautiful she is wow I wish I had the pleasure of seeing her sing live not just on television She was truly remarkable

[@c004857]

Very intelligent woman. RIP Ms. Norman.

[@redwoods7370]

The New York Times described her voice as "a grand mansion of sound. It defines an extraordinary space. It has enormous dimensions, reaching backward and upward. It opens onto unexpected vistas. It contains sunlit rooms, narrow passageways, cavernous fall." She was a transcendent artist who sang from a higher (if not the highest) plane. God rest her beautiful soul. She's probably up there now teaching the angels how to sing.

[@fideliofidelio1222]

I don't know how many times I have watched this but I never get tired ! In memoriam Jessye Norman !

[@musicandme1982]

Me Either such a Proper Lady rest in power Queen Jessye

[@IAMmelchesidic]

I am sorry that I only learned of this great talent because of her death. Her interviews have blessed me. A young woman from America unafraid to go after her dream which landed her in Europe/Germany. Learning the different languages to master her gift! Such an amazing journey! Wow..life well lived.🙌🙏❤

[@brandonburrell8517]

All these jealous folk hating on Jessye. "She should talk this way. She should talk that way.". . . Nonsense. She is a great artist. She doesn't pretend to not be from Georgia, but she speaks in a way that she enjoys. People are put off by it because of their own self limitations.

[@dburns9435]

Brandon Burrell Very well said

[@chevydude658]

She spoke at least 4 languages. She could speak German, Spanish, French, and Italian. On top of that being so well trained to speak and sing. She was a tremendous artist. I will never forget my father watching her sing on television one time when I was very young and he sat and cried like a baby. He was a very strong and tough man. When her heard her beautiful gift, he was moved to tears. I've never forgotten it.

[@susanwilson8125]

MOST PEOPLE CAN'T EVEN SPEAK ENGLISH..CLEARLY!! IN THEIR IDIOTIC UGLY JEALOUS THIS BEAUTIFUL TREASURE OF MUSIC. HAD NOT ONLY A DIVINE SINGING VOICE... BUT SHE 'S SPOKE AS A ANGEL.... IN 4 LANGUAGES!! FLUIDITY DIVINE OF SOUND IN FOREVER MEMORY!! DIVIVE OF GOD... SING ARCHANGEL!! THE DUMMIES THAT CANT GO TO HADES...NOW!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 YOU COULDN'T BE HER IN YOU WILDEST DREAMS!!!! DIVINA JESSYE!! SOAR!!!🕊💕🕊💕🕊💕🕊💕🕊💕 SUZAN C WILSON

[@gdmoore]

Susan Wilson Wow. You left me breathless....

[@wonieblue1657]

I can listen to Jessye all day she can read a book and just sing anything I'll listen to her

[@musicandme1982]

She speaks how she's supposed too idiot's But she's Resting in love and admiration as Queen should 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@dellamoore9270]

I love her voice. I love her music . I have been an ardent fan of Ms. Norman for years. What a blessing she is.

[@silwoodsimple3360]

I love you Jessye .... your music will last forever

[@nailycai]

Gosh I love her so much.

[@adoris864]

To the intellectually challenged few who have chosen to take issue with Jessye Norman's beautiful diction and lyrical speech: You irritate me beyond comprehension! To be conscious of her diction is not only detrimental to her career, but it is the only way in which an educated, cultured person should speak. To clearly enunciate words properly has nothing to do with color, race or ethnicity. As a musician, singer and lover of languages myself, I would hazard a guess Ms. Norman is more concerned with honing her craft than the ranting of racists or otherwise ignorant people who might perceive her to be haughty and pretentious. Ms. Norman serves as a great inspiration and shinning example that one can soar to heights far beyond the confines of their point of origin. And how wonderful to be the benefactors of her inspiration! When Jessye Norman speaks, she speaks hope to us who dare to dream of places and things beyond our scope. Fame has assured her a home upon the greatest stages and platforms of the world, and therefore she is a citizen of the world, humbly rooted in Georgia. Those who imply that she has forgotten her place, languor in an abysmal depth of ignorance!!! I enjoy opera, and though I do not perform within this genre, I can think of no greater aspiration than to be like Ms. Norman. I am inspired by her, I am in glorious awe of her gift, her speech and her regal presence. I am her captive audience without ever a single note being sang. Simply to sit and hold her in conversation would be the pinnacle of a climactic experience for me; and I do not so easily impress. Toward the haters; please stop the hate, this great lady can not be pigeon-holed. Ms. Norman fills me with tremendous pride. She is a grand lady who resplendently displays and glorifies the many faceted images of the black woman.

[@KTolai]

A'Doris A ..you're spot on. If I sang in many different languages, and truly understand its meaning and story behind every verse, it would definitely affect my speech. She immerses herself in these songs. Those who are critical about her speech are idiots. Seriously. I'm not even joking.

[@crankbv1]

A Doris A. I was searching for a comment to make which would adequately reflect my views regarding Ms Norman's use of the English language but you appear to have covered just about everything here. I'm English by birth and I have to say that her eloquence leaves my usage with a lot to be desired. So how would some people prefer her to speak...like a street rapper perhaps? I have nothing but admiration for this awesome lady.

[@dalredmond5879]

I agree with everything that you have written. Jessye transcends race and all the superficial markers people use to judge and pigeon hole one another. To spend time with her would be a joy beyond compare.

[@avasinclair5798]

crankbv1 a street rapper? What the hell are you talking about? I think people, like most, assume southerners aren’t eloquent speakers....smh and all street rappers aren’t illiterate, or don’t know how to articulate, this response was just as silly as the others

[@adoris864]

@@KTolai Exactly!

[@christiaandhooghe]

She is so sweet!!!!!! Smart woman, amazingly respected singer.

[@leonardilaurenti9819]

I so glad that YOU are blessed with commonsense! You have so eloquently expressed what the lesser minds cannot decipher. IDIOCY and SHALLOWMINDEDNESS propel some people to say that Lady Norman should sound a Southern woman...a woman from Georgia. However, LADY NORMAN is not just a woman from Georgia; she is an INTERNATIONAL LADY! Highly educated and immeasurably talented, she speaks in a manner that the World understands. I am British. She does not have a British accent. She articulates well!

[@BRIRICO]

She probably could switch over., so to speak, dialect, when she wanted to.

[@wonieblue1657]

She said Yes 4 times waiting for him to get to the point 🤣🤣🤣She's so adorable you just want to hug her Rest with love Queen Jessye 💜🧜🏿‍♀️

[@yesblanche]

Yes Jessye!! What a fabulous diva!!!!

[@munequitodeebano3920]

I loved her so much. Not only her voice was incredible but as an artist she was amazing.

[@pastre999]

one can easily gaze and listen to a goddess, Madam Norman truly is one.

[@khamikins]

she lived in Europe for a very long time..Nina Simone speaks in a similar way

[@wonieblue1657]

People are just plain stupid I remember seeing her for the first time on PBS and her speaking was the same as it is here If they knew of her from the beginning they wouldn't say these idiotic things

[@evewiemer]

what a wonderful voice!

[@johnellis6755]

'I do what I want to do' our angel our diva let us meet again!

[@neji-hyuga-]

When you are so pure that the only flaw people can think of is your accent.

[@carolwright7938]

Amen to that!

[@carolwright7938]

Ame to that!!

[@wonieblue1657]

Thank you,You said it 👍🏽Jessye was highly intelligent and amazing and most people can't handle those facts

[@tonykelly1334]

I love this interview. So relaxed, full of warmth, grace and charm. She really was something special and I really miss her.

[@caboose1909]

Rest In Peace beautiful diva

[@divolifecoaching]

Rest in harmony Diva 💚🎶

[@abside30glu]

R.I.P. Jessye Norman 📹📷🎥📽️🎬🔭📡🗞️📊📈📉

[@dorian07109]

Jessye Norman was the GREATEST mezzo and then soprano EVER!! She was underrated.

[@leshaunda]

I don't think she was underrated. She was at the top of her game. Did things no other opera singer has done then and now. Honors on top of honors. So she got her flowers while she was alive. And still now

[@dorian07109]

@@leshaunda She was absolutely underrated. She NEVER received the recognition that she deserved.

[@leshaunda]

@@dorian07109 well we see it differently. And I will leave it at that

[@alcraw2551]

She is so admirable in every way.

[@user-mj8nf2vp7q]

...RIP Miss Norman!

[@Alexmeister25]

She live in USA our Europe, no is importat, but she sind perfect, speaking perfect with consonant in punto, perfect time, she speak germany, italian, france, so so espanisch, she hes a big culture and all fantastic conductors in the world, exemple: James levine, (Herbert von karajan), he is died now, Sir geoge solti, Zubin metha, Kurt mansur, and others love and respect the voice, a big voice of Jessy Norman, and for me she is a lovely woman.

[@petercallahan7321]

The interviewer is quite good. He knows it’s a short interview so he asks specific questions that are still not too complicated for a casual watcher, and then he lets her do the talking.

[@r0c87]

Do you think everyone from Georgia has the same accent by which you can say such a thing? Jessye Norman talks like someone who had been civilized by elites during a long period of time, and that is just one distinction that seperates your experience from hers.

[@Bahia82]

whoa "3:40-4:04", I did not know that, I always thought it was the note or key range, not the sound. I doubt a lot of people realize that

[@Dal-bm7xd]

Ain't nobody there!!!!!! The magnifemce of Jesssye Norman speaking with such a gifted and intelligent interviewer is s treat beyond measure Listening to This Grand Humble Diva sing and speak brings a trickle of waterworks fown my cheeks. What she did for opera....... Jesus did for Christianity .

[@roberthanff4354]

Extraordinary singer and woman. Alas passed too soon ❤

[@wellasang]

I have to add my two-cents’ worth here. Our brains are not static, but can always learn and re-learn language. The accent, intonation, inflection, sound, articulation, and etc. are affected from the languages that she has lived in and which she acquired, which is mandatory for opera singers. They have to learn these languages, which are the original languages in which these musical masterpieces were made from. How can you give justice to the works of Strauss if your German cannot be understood by the audience. She is already giving us a hint by saying in the interview that she gets emotionally engaged and involved in the materials that she is working with.

[@MorenitaDeSamba]

Please note that she has hybrid Southern American and British accent. It's not fake. The Southern American accent is a moderation of an English accent to begin with. The east coast accent of older generations is very similar (connecticut). It was the standard accent that actors needed to have for many years. Oprah Winfrey has a subtle trace of it. So do Diane Carole and Syndey Portier. They acquired it because of acting. She aquired it from living abroad.

[@nanajockel]

MorenitaDeSamba please refer to Leonardo Laurenti above

[@onassis73]

This is wonderful!!! Thank you for posting !

[@janaesimmons4672]

Great singer for sure/beautiful voice.

[@TerrancePogue]

I love it I love it I love it I love it

[@busybat5287]

One Word....QUEEN ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@pega17pl]

Grace Bumbry was engageged by Wieland Wagner for Bayreuth (Venus in Tannhäuser) and Jessey Norman was engaged for Deutsche Oper Berlin (Elizabeth in Tannhäuser) direct at ARD music contest and get an egagement for 3 years at Deutsche Oper Berlin. Both singers started with their roles their world carriers. Maybe there were racial prejudices against black singers on American opera stages? At this time? - Heinz

[@eduardobenitez752]

Oh Sweet Jessie!!! you must delecting the angels with your cords. I miss you

[@Tridhos]

Who the hell cares how she speaks its the voice that is heavenly a truly great artiste.

[@minkoss]

I am in love with you for your comment!

[@numtot2172]

Her accent is fascinating. Born in Georgia, but her accent is like a combination of several European dialects.

[@JeeRant]

She's talking about the 'Ruckert-Lieder' by Mahler, I believe.

[@musicismylife17blue]

she lived in europe for a long while. i'm sure if I lived in germany I would pick up german so he accent is something she picked up

[@shakaama]

i wish she were my mom and read my books at night to put me to sleep. i could listen to her talk forever. i was getting closer and closer to my computer screen, so engrossed in her speech. then the camera would switch to him and his paleness would blind me haha no offense, it's true. she's lovely.

[@trab49]

Does anyone know who is the real life opera star/telegraph boy they talk about at the beginning of the interview? Can't seem to find any details online!

[@spencophany]

Carrot Cake they are talking about events that happened to Jesse that were the basis of the Movie ‘Diva’ where Wilhelmenia Fernandez played the role of the opera singer based on Jessye

[@grai]

she seems so nice

[@babs22hh]

did he ever steal your dress {wtf] no he only bought me flowers!

[@wonieblue1657]

😂😂😂😂

[@Ozymandi_as]

A reference to the film, in which the motorcycle courier steals the divas dress after the performance.

[@courtneybaritone222]

Actually she has owned a flat in the UK for over 30 years now. Know your stuff before you post something.

[@sumar26]

@DaDaddySF very interesting thought!

[@grai]

I think she would sound very American to most Brits

[@Kiarinadia]

No sound ?! What the matter, the video is mute ?

[@orion8835]

She was hilarious. Her almost near Jamaican hooty accent was always one of her best creations. She enjoyed intellectualizing everything and singing in a sort of woofy religious preachy way. It of course was limiting on the instrument and we never got a lot of roles due to her determination to sing in a gaping roaring way. It was a very fun schtick that fascinated people watching her. That is until she has some vocal trouble mid 90’s. A very magical artist that is missed.

[@user-jt4js7ed3e]

Люблю Джесс..

[@nailycai]

What does that mean?

[@Anizarm]

Please can somebody spell the name of the composer she mentions at 5,08 ? I want to find those songs in Youtybe...

[@idalopes6440]

She's talking about the Rücket Lieder, by Mahler.

[@JeeRant]

Ruckert wasn't the composer; he wrote he poems.

[@sumar26]

@Itoh2Itoh GReat!!!

[@jonahsahn]

tell me more about this, because I'm still like "WOMAN you from Georgia!!! what's with the accent!?!?" ..... yeah....

[@mavoisine3]

That fake accent is too precious. RIP Madame.

[@Roheryn100]

HARRY K Your ignorance is pitiable. This lady moved and sang in many languages in the highest cultural circles in Europe. One cannot sing German, or French, or Italian , correctly without knowing these languages , and she is renown for her clarity of diction. She broadened her life experiences and enriched ours in ways you cannot comprehend. And you resent her because you think she should have her hair in corn rows and eat fried chicken and watermelon.

[@mavoisine3]

@@Roheryn100 Please check your attitude at the door, you bully. Did you even read my comment? I just talked about the fake accent and not about her talent or about her immense contribution to the world of art. How come Renee Flemming sounds normal? Now you got me hungry. I am gonna fry me some chicken!

[@Roheryn100]

HARRY K Bully ? Ha! Her accent isn’t fake.

[@mavoisine3]

That fake accent kills me. Isn't she from Georgia for God's sake? How come Rene Fleming sounds normal?

[@feeniix6]

Its not an accent. Her enunciation and diction are spot on. She sings. And probably speaks fluently in different languages. In opera they are very critical on clarity while singing. She problably speaks rhis way to sort of force her enunciation and diction to be spot on all the time. They criticised Joan Sutherland for mushy diction even though her singing was beautiful.

[@spencophany]

Not just that - she lived in Europe for a long time and spoke fluent French and German. She became honorary French and German citizen. Thats why her accent is so mixed up.

[@peace3652]

@@spencophany Yes, your so correct. She also speak Spanish and Italian fluently.

[@Roheryn100]

You can’t communicate the spirit of a French, or Italian, or German aria to a conductor and your audience if you drawl. Her art was COMMUNICATION. Why do I get the undertones of “How DARE she ?” 😡

[@acacia-bloom]

Honey, she is from Georgia, and in Georgia folks dont talk like that - never!! I am British and I live in Germany, but I dont speak English with an "abroad" accent - I speak like we spoke at home. If I lived in Australia, I might aquire some Australianisms, true. But Norman never LIVED in the UK.

[@fideliofidelio1222]

Your are JEALOUS !!!!! Sorry for you !!!!

[@zachschwartz1714]

What?! Definitely a traditional Georgian (non-Atlanta) accent. Very very posh, dropped R's.

[@pneron2032]

She did live in the UK and had an apartment in London. She also lived in Germany for many years. Perhaps you have never lived abroad but I, and millions of people can assure you: there is nothing more common or natural in the world than your accent adapting when you move to the other side of the planet.

[@Roheryn100]

She says in the interview she has a pied a terre in London !

[@williamponder6286]

Nonsense. Are you a linguist? Even if you are, who are to judge a woman had to learn to have conversation in several languages in order to be able to sing in those languages?

[@bemaniac2]

her accent is so weird

[@Roheryn100]

bemaniac2 No, it is the result of a lifetime moving in the highest cultural circles of Europe. It’s called “broadening and educating your life experiences.”