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Jessye Norman Quotes

Powerful Jessye Norman for Daily Growth

About Jessye Norman

**Jessye Mae Norman** (September 15, 1945 – September 30, 2019) was an American opera singer and recitalist renowned for her versatile voice, wide-ranging repertoire, and captivating stage presence. Born in Augusta, Georgia, Norman's love for music began early, influenced by her mother's piano playing and the rich gospel tradition of her local community. In 1967, she graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Music degree, followed by a Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School in 1969. Her professional breakthrough came when Leonard Bernstein discovered her in a radio broadcast and invited her to perform as the soprano soloist in his Mahler's Eighth Symphony at Carnegie Hall in 1968. Throughout her illustrious career, Norman performed with the world's leading orchestras and opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, and Berlin Philharmonic. Her repertoire spanned from Baroque to contemporary music, including notable roles such as Aida, Turandot, Carmen, and Leonore in Fidelio. In addition to her operatic work, Norman was a celebrated recitalist, often collaborating with pianist and conductor Adam Fischer. She recorded over 70 albums, winning five Grammy Awards for her efforts. Notable recordings include Berlioz's Les Nuits d'Été, Strauss' Four Last Songs, and Verdi's Requiem. Norman was also known for her humanitarian work, particularly in promoting peace and social justice. She was a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador and received the National Medal of Arts in 1995. On September 30, 2019, Norman passed away at the age of 74, leaving behind a rich legacy in the world of classical music. Quotes by Jessye Norman include: "I believe that each one of us is here to do something unique and beautiful, that each of us is an original. I have found mine in music." And "Music is the language of the spirit. It can tell you the deepest things about yourself." These words encapsulate her approach to life and art, embodying passion, depth, and a commitment to excellence.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Music is a language that doesn't speak in particular words. It speaks directly to our souls."

Jessye Norman's quote suggests that music, unlike spoken or written language, communicates on an emotional level that transcends specific words. Instead of using verbal expressions, music connects directly with our inner selves or emotions, bypassing the need for conventional language. This unique quality of music allows it to evoke powerful feelings and resonate deeply within us, making it a universal means of expression and understanding across cultures and communities.

"The voice is not a mere instrument; it is an extension of your soul and heart."

This quote suggests that one's voice, beyond being just a tool for communication, is an expression of their inner self. It reflects the emotions, thoughts, and experiences that reside within the singer or speaker, making it an extension of their soul and heart. This perspective emphasizes the profound connection between a person's emotional depth and vocal delivery, highlighting the power and significance of using our voices to share our stories and connect with others.

"The most important thing about art is to work, work, work."

Jessye Norman's quote emphasizes the significance of dedication and hard work in artistic pursuits. By continuously working at one's craft, artists can hone their skills, develop their unique voice, and ultimately create impactful art that resonates with others. In essence, this quote underscores the notion that there is no shortcut to success in art; it takes unwavering commitment, determination, and consistent effort to make meaningful contributions to one's field.

"I believe that music can lift up the spirits and bring people together."

This quote underscores the transformative power of music, suggesting it has the ability to elevate moods and foster unity among individuals. Music serves as a universal language transcending borders, touching hearts, and promoting harmony. It is believed that listening to or creating music can serve as a therapeutic tool in lifting spirits and bringing people together through shared experiences and emotions.

"If you are going to sing, first put your ear on God's breast and listen to the song he has composed for you."

This quote emphasizes the spiritual connection between a singer and their music. Jessye Norman suggests that a singer should not only rely on their own talent or instinct but should also listen deeply to the divine inspiration, or "song" that God has intended for them. This implies a sense of humility, openness, and receptiveness to the greater purpose or message behind the music they perform. In essence, she encourages singers to not only be skilled artists but also vessels for something greater than themselves.

Growing up in Augusta in such a protected and loving community is something that I really enjoy talking about. I love talking about - even though I grew up, of course, in the time of segregated schools: Brown vs. Board of Education came along after I was already in first grade.

- Jessye Norman

Love, Education, About, Though

I would like to see more African-American singers as part of our opera companies. If you take music and the arts out of the public schools, then you're going to lose a lot of people that you might have discovered were talented, very early.

- Jessye Norman

Opera, Discovered, Very, African-American

I think that it is expansive for the mind, for the fantasy of children and grownups alike, to understand that the world is huge. There is so much in the world to experience, and the odds are so essential to life.

- Jessye Norman

Mind, Think, I Think, Essential

I have a particular affliction. I am unable to say a word I can't spell.

- Jessye Norman

I Am, Unable, Spell, Affliction

I sing in Hungarian. I read Hungarian. I do not pretend to speak Hungarian, but I sing in languages that I have studied as languages. And I find that to be central and very, very helpful. I think if you're not really cognizant of what every single word means, I think that might be a little tricky.

- Jessye Norman

I Think, Pretend, Very, Hungarian

I have enjoyed most particularly reading the correspondence between Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss. The genuine friendship, competitiveness and support that thread through their communications are life lessons for us all.

- Jessye Norman

Friendship, Through, Mahler, Correspondence

I read everything. I'll read a John Grisham novel, I'll sit and read a whole book of poems by Maya Angelou, or I'll just read some Mary Oliver - this is a book that was given to me for Christmas. No particular genre. And I read in French, and I read in German, and I read in English. I love to see how other people use language.

- Jessye Norman

Love, Some, German, None

I am the proud and humble recipient of more than 30 honorary doctorate degrees.

- Jessye Norman

Humble, I Am, Proud, Honorary

One has to draw upon one's own musical thoughts and one's own musical acumen, and not to be afraid to let that come into one's work. Perhaps that comes with more experience, but perhaps it also comes with daring, and believing that you should.

- Jessye Norman

Work, Thoughts, Musical, Acumen

There is a lot of propaganda about opera singers not being able to act. That's not necessarily true and hasn't been true for a very long time. And certainly there were those instances when singers were told they need to fit into a certain size dress. Of course, women. Men? They just make the costume bigger.

- Jessye Norman

Dress, Been, Very, Costume

I feel comfortable singing in the great cathedrals of the world because I spent so much time as a child singing in church. And it isn't very different. Of course, nothing looks quite like Notre Dame de Paris.

- Jessye Norman

Church, Feel, Very, Dame

If you send up a weather vane or put your thumb up in the air every time you want to do something different, to find out what people are going to think about it, you're going to limit yourself. That's a very strange way to live.

- Jessye Norman

Very, Thumb, About, Strange Way

I didn't think at all as a young child that music would be my profession. It was just something that one did along with going to Brownies or going to church or going to school or anything else that one did in sort of one's very young life.

- Jessye Norman

Church, Young, Very, Just Something

'Swan,' by Mary Oliver. Poems and prose. Reading from this book is as if visiting a very wise friend. There is wisdom and welcoming kindness on every page.

- Jessye Norman

Prose, Very, Visiting, Welcoming

One of the reasons that I take such joy in being a trustee of the New York Public Library is the love of reading that I found as a child in the Saturday morning library events for preschoolers and first and second graders as I was growing up in Augusta, GA.

- Jessye Norman

Love, Saturday, Reasons, Public Library

We singers have a different level of responsibility from other musicians. We have words that we must convey; we have meanings that we must convey through these lyrics.

- Jessye Norman

Through, Other, Singers, Lyrics

I try to frighten my very young colleagues into studying and understanding their voices before they attempt things that are beyond them. It's wise to take gymnastics and swimming to strengthen the body, because people don't realise what an athletic undertaking singing actually is.

- Jessye Norman

Young, Before, Very, Frighten

I think that, certainly, most of my operatic roles are in German. I think it happened because, of course, I was lucky in that I was invited to sing, first of all, my operatic debut in Berlin at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, which was West Berlin at the time.

- Jessye Norman

Lucky, I Think, German, First Of All

I knew that I was loved. And that's such an important thing. And, of course, at such an early age, you take it for granted. Of course your parents love you. Of course Mrs. Hubert across the street loves you and your godmother loves you and your grandparents love you.

- Jessye Norman

Love, Grandparents, Your, Godmother

I sing in languages that I speak. So when I'm singing a Schubert song, I know precisely what every word means and, you know, when it was composed and who was the poet and all of that and whether Strauss or Wagner or French Belioz, Duparc or Debussy or whatever.

- Jessye Norman

Wagner, Precisely, Composed, French

I wasn't born Austrian; I wasn't born German. My roots are from Africa, and I do not have any reason for not wanting to celebrate that. Every time that I can, I like to kind of mention it, you know, just to keep people sort of knowing exactly what's going on. My French is pretty good, but I'm still African, thank you very much.

- Jessye Norman

Reason, Very, German, French

I love singing jazz. I don't like the idea that classical music should be over here and jazz should be someplace else. It's all wonderful, and we should be open to enjoying it all.

- Jessye Norman

Love, Here, Over, Classical Music

I was given the opportunity to write the kind of book that I wanted to write, rather than one that catalogues where I sang and what I sang and what I wore. I wanted to write a book about an American family, the family that has produced me. The longer I live, the more I realise the incredible support and love we were given as children.

- Jessye Norman

Love, Book, Rather, American Family

If I were not able to separate the art from the artists, I think I would limit myself a great deal, and life wouldn't be nearly as interesting.

- Jessye Norman

Art, Think, Deal, Great Deal

I enjoy reading about the lives of musicians, and find many similarities in their ideas of preparation and their utter devotion to this great, eternal language: music.

- Jessye Norman

About, Lives, Utter, Enjoy Reading

A person has the right, and I think the responsibility, to develop all of their talents.

- Jessye Norman

Think, Person, I Think, Talents

There's no anger ever in a spiritual. There's always the dream of a hope of a better day coming. That God understands the troubles that I'm experiencing.

- Jessye Norman

Hope, Always, Troubles, Experiencing

I like so many different kinds of music that I've never allowed myself the limitations of one particular range.

- Jessye Norman

Myself, Like, Allowed, Limitations

My parents said to us, practically on a daily basis, that we were as good as anyone else on this earth, and that we would simply have to work harder in order to show that.

- Jessye Norman

Work, Show, Daily Basis, Harder

There has never been a time when I was not committed to, involved in, or caring of, the social and political issues of my world.

- Jessye Norman

Committed, Been, Social, Political Issues

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