O hehrstes Wunder! Jessye Norman in Walküre
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- Опубліковано 3 січ 2008
- Hildegard Behrens as Brünnhilde and amazing Jessye Norman in the role of Sieglinde. From scene one of act three in Wagner´s opera Walküre. James Levine conducts Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Available on DVD.
Jessye's all like, Ima sing now.
best comment ever!
I've often wondered if behind that beaming smile, Behrens is thinking "I know you can sing me off the Met stage, but do you have to send me all the way across the Hudson River and into New Jersey?"
I nearly choked from laughter. " IMA sing now, gimme that sword Girl " but how's that power that comes out?!?!?
and blow you all away💝💝💝💝💝💝
Brava, Norman! Wow!!!
Sept. 30, 2019: Farewell, Jessye. Your voice was truly magnificent beyond imagining.
I was lucky enough to see this production with these singers. Extraordinary!
Hurricane Norman has reached shores with 396 mile per hour winds...that just blew Hildegard's wig right off her scalp.....let the church say AMEN!!
Yes I was there too. But how my hair rises when Jessye’s voice comes out of my puny iPhone speaker 30 years later is truly mind boggling.
I’m really impressed with Behrens in this clip! A lesser singer would have tried to make their voice darker or bigger to try and compete. But Behrens does what makes Behrens great, and lets Jessye do what makes Jessye great!
It is exactly the contrast between their timbres that makes the scene so thrilling!
Jessye wasn’t just a diva, she was a goddess amongst us mortals. I feel so lucky to have heard her live in Cleveland and New York. Rest in peace, Liebe Göttin. ❤❤❤
This youtube video is dangerous; Jessye Norman knocked me out of my chair!
It is a shame that I first listen to this after this brilliant woman's passing. I literally went numb from 1:25 to 2:05. Such power and such brilliance!.
I saw this run, Levine, Morris, Ludwig, Behrens, Lakes, Moll, Norman, what a cast and they all nailed the expressions, perfection. I saw Jessye Norman sing this a few times at the Met with other casts. This clip is the definitive interpretation of the redemption motive which is the center of the whole Ring Cycle. I bumped into her on the street one time near Columbus Circle in 2010 and told her that I praised this. She's gone but the record of this execution will live forever. Brava Jessye.
aww when jessye is singing "oh hehrstes wunder"...the smile on hildegard's face is like seems so happy to be singing with such a mutually great artists.
this clip is overwhelming. where are the great singers like this today?!! not on the stages!
I love the quick smile Jessye gives Hildegard right before she sings, too. They aren’t just acting when they smile and when they embrace at the end: they are genuinely thrilled to be singing together and listening to each other.
The same great talent is out there; people are not less talented. It's just a matter of kids being exposed to the art. The next potential operatic legend could be 12-years-old right now, but because she isn't exposed to opera, she'll never even attempt performing it even in her house. Sad. I'm speaking only about America when I say this, since I'm American: We have failed the youngest generations by not funding fine arts education programs in the way that they once were. The Boomer generation took advantage of these programs created and funded by the generation before them, but didn't put anything back, and it's not just in the fine arts. It's in society in general. Everything has degraded.
I remember watching Jessye sing "O hehrstes wunder" on PBS as a child and knowing that I was listening to something truly great..
Me too.rip jessye Norman
My memory holds a different camera angle from the broadcast version. Jessye sings her first massive phrase, and Hildegard reacts in incredulous awe. I don't know if it happened, but it's what I remember.
One of the most memorable moments in opera!
I can't even handle this clip. Behrens is the best ever and Norman's sound is superhuman.
Wunder indeed. Dear God..
Absolutely.
Behrens was special and so is norman
1:25 Everyone felt the presence of greatness. I saw that same production and I remember that moment when I could hardly contain myself from cheering.
Jessyn had the largest voice in the world. And it is also very lush and velvety. She did out sing Hildegard in this famous scene.
man... Norman's voice when she comes in, is like a big tidal ocean waves storming across all of the oceans...the sheer volume of the orchestra and she tackles it like a piece of cake!
I've heard this umpteen times but Jessye Norman still makes me cry.
Has there ever been such a perfect casting for these two roles? Behrens has God like power and steeliness with her effortless instrument while Norman overflows with gushing mortal passion and desire. It pours out of her with such richness and sensuality. Stunning
What a moment of supreme beauty of sound.
I could watch this forever. Jessye Norman tugs at the heartstrings as well as leaving a sense of awe as Sieglinde with her mighty torrent of voice. Hildegard Behrens was a very moving artist who sang with such feeling, musicality and clarity of tone. She is greatly missed.
Godesses both.
I was so lucky to see the same production and same cast. I remember I got the chill when Norman opened up on O hehrstes wunder !!!
Let's not forget that in Act I of the same performance there is the best 'Du bist der Lenz' that I have ever heard. And the cry of 'Sieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeegmund' that will make your hair stand on end!
Jessye, you are God's gift to the human voice!
In the last ten years, at least, I have cried four times that I can remember. This scene, the first time that I saw Die Walküre, was one of those times. I bawled like a little child.
Götterdämmerung for me, and I'm talking some UGLY crying.
Behrens and Jessye are fabulous here.
I just can't stop watching this!
What a vocal miracle she was/is.
Nobody sings Sieglinde like Jessye Norman did. It’s difficult for me to hear anyone else sing the role after hearing dear Jessye. RIP, Diva.
really nobody ?
@@MatthieuJung Did I stutter?
@@MatthieuJungreally, nobody. I’ve probably heard 40 performances of this and nobody comes close
"O hehrstes Wunder! Herrliches Maid!", o noblest miracle - that miracle was her voice; glorious maiden - that was Norman.
I think this has to be one of the finest moments of operatic singing on record, simply breathtaking.
As i was just perusing jessye norman's youtube clips for the 5796th time, I watched this. This is a glimpse of heaven!
I was lucky enough to have lived in New York when these performances took place, and to have seen this timeless, naturalistic production many times. (It's probably my favorite opera, so I kept going back.) People all over the house would break down in tears when Jessye sang "O hehrstes Wunder." The sheer outpouring of glorious sound, coupled with the fact that this leitmotiv is really the most beautiful, meaningful music in the entire cycle (it's how Wagner chose to end the whole thing, after all), was too much for a lot of us. And then we had to sob all over again as Morris sang the most magnificent, effortless Leb' wohl since George London. It was like the end of the world, and all was somehow right, no matter how sad. Hard to go back to everyday, magicless life, once the curtain went down and the lights came up.
Thanks for sharing this. :)
+Jack Saffery-Rowe I agree, that was beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Of course my judgment is a reflection of my personal taste. Duh. All opinions about music are merely that - opinions. And don't you dare even try to condescend to me, no matter how many insipid smiley-faces you tack on to the end of your sentence. You have no idea to whom you're talking.
'Meaningful music" indeed! I came in search of 'O herstes Wunder' after a BBC Radio 4 podcast had Sir Roger Scruton making the point that the Ring ends with those many violins sweeping us back toward the Natural Order in this leitmotiv which, Sir Roger said, was really the essence of the whole work: "the most sublime moment in the drama: when a mortal woman who had lost everything save love, gave her blessing to the goddess who saved her". In a world where mankind had lost religion but not a need for religion, Wagner showed the aspirations of the gods can also be ours - for love allows us to consecrate our little lives through sacrifice and devotion to others.
dreinornen very well said!!i feel the
Same!!
Now this is a Diva in glorious full flight; a great wall of sound blowing the Valkyries right into Jim Levine's lap!
both soprano's compliment each other
Yes, it is simply extreme!!!! One of my dearest moments in opera too... Norman is simply the BEST.
The human voice just can not sound any more magnificent, beautiful or overwhelming than this.
I heard Jessye Norman in recital this week. Although she chose not to offer us any opera or classical repertoire on the program, she was still the one and only JESSYE. She's very intelligent about how to use her remaining resources. Sadly, I never heard Behrens live, another one of my great favorites.
one of the best moments of this recording.....Jessye Norman....Wow!
My God, I have never seen a woman open her mouth that wide and unleash such a torrent of sound that rings with clarity over a Wagnerian orchestra at forte. Has to be one of Norman's most golden moments. Behrens is a legend in her own right, but this is not her most superb singing, sadly.
Honestly, when she opened her mouth and started to sing I became a bit frightened. Please understand, this is NOT a criticism. Rather, I didn't expect what was about to happen and I was overwhelmed. It was amazing and in that sense was the realization of what 19th century people meant when they invoked the "sublime."
Musique sublime ,superbement interprétée !!!! Deux motifs majeurs apparaissent !! Scène particulièrement émouvante !!! ....et il y en a d'autres !!!!!
Certainly one of opera's most thrilling moments, in an opera with many thrilling moments!
A great voice has left us orphans...RIP Hildegard
you can say that again.....I never was the same after hearing that the first time.
Jessye: " step aside....check this out"
She raises the level for Sieglinde beyond competition.
One of the most powerfull moment of Wagner's Operas
Not in this version.
Cush If not, why not ?
Hildegard Behrens was a great singer, but Jessye is something else entirely.
Norman gave many great performances and also some less memorable ones. Behrens portrayals of Brunnhilde, Isolde and Elektra are among the best of the last 40 years
@@Wotan123456789 that point still holds up though. I think we can all agree that Berhens is absolutely incredible, and Jessye's voice and power is truly unparalleled regardless of where it was placed. Never heard Jessye give anything less than remarkable.
Are you deaf? Jessye produces quite no sound with her huge opened mouth and even huger body. Her voice does not carry well. Here its obvious. Thats a technical flaw. Her singing is so constricted. Behrends sound is natural open and clear with much less effort.
vita bella lol until you’re singing at the Met or become James Levine you can definitely shut the fuck up.
@@vitabella6481 also if you're gonna edit your post again next time spell 'Behrens' correctly doofus.
An unique and unsurpassed interpretation with a presentation that breaks the heart.
SIEGLINDE:
O radiant wonder!
Glorious maid!
Your words have brought me
comfort and calm!
This son of Siegmund,
Oh, we shall save him:
may my son return
to thank you himself!
Fare you well!
Be blessed by Sieglinde's woe!
Omg! Really? Really? Jessye how many people can make Hildegard sound almost like a lyric soprano? Both are amazing artists.. However despite the enormity of Jessye's Instrument its also a gloriously beautiful tamber which is what stands out even more!
Glory be to GOD for that wonderful voice of Jessye we had the pleasure to hear.
I'll miss you Hildegard.... u were the greatest
Oh that voice is still there- and I she still dose recitals
Wow, wow, wow, wow. Jessye is absolutely magical, fantastic, brilliant what other adjectives can describe that wonderful artist?
My Goodness! Jessye just exploded! Amazing!!
Behrens, formidable musicienne, savait redonner à Brunnilde une jeunesse, une sorte d'élan féminin, loin des voix spectaculaires et énormes des grands soprani dramatiques. C'est très beau et convaincant (son entrée au deuxième acte est formidable): cependant l'ampleur et la chaleur , la puissance quasi surhumaine de la voix de Jessye rendent presque frêle sa collègue et déséquilibrent le rapport. Qu'aurait donné Jessye dans Brunnhilde? O n se prend à rêver de l'inversion des rôles entre les deux artistes.
Man möge mir die Wortwahl verzeihen: Total geil. Jessye ist die Beste.
OMG god i am in heaven i have always loved Miss Norman but sadly new to Miss Behrens and together its just wow . This is grand singing at its best .
Jessey Norman is phenomenal.
These comments are hilarious! The performance is spectacular.
Pants-poopingly good, indeed! It's one of my absolute favorite recordings of one of my absolute favorite moments in opera!
wonderful jessye!!!!!
Jessye Norman dispensa comentários! Ela é, simplesmente, fantástica!
This is probably one of the most glorious moments in all of Nibelungen, and Hildegard and Jessye just take it to the impossible level I think Wagner set, and make it more beautiful.
If Norman was just given a secure high C, she would have been the greatest Wagnerian soprano ever.
+Vette gaddia Jessye is already one of the greatest and most respected American sopranos of the last century. I don't think she really cares for being "the greatest Wagnerian soprano ever." Plus, even if she did care and did deliver that, she'd still never be given to rightful recognition. A lot of folks would argue that such a title belongs only to the Norwegian Kirsten Flagstad.
Trevor T Well, i think that Nilsson is the greatest Wagnerian dramatic soprano. And many, many people agree that Nilsson is even greater than Flagstad. Flagstad and Jessye had bigger voices than Nilsson. But Nilsson can sing the highest tessitura for a dramatic soprano with ease. While Flagstad struggled a bit with Brunhilde's higher tessitura and Nilsson did not. Nilsson is the only dramatic soprano who sang the very high tessitura from Turandot without a strain. Nilsson handled all of her Turandots on UA-cam as if they were easy for her. The only other Turandot who made Turandot sound easy was Sutherland. But Sutherland never sang Turandot on stage, only in the studio.
***** That's true. But Nilsson had a squillo/edge to her voice that can penetrate any orchestration. I have heard many strain Immolation scenes which has a lot of high notes. And no one can sing it as technically fantastic as Nilsson. The great Joan Sutherland had once said that the voice she most admired was Flagstad's. But when those highest notes are needed, no other Wagnerian soprano can sing them anywhere near the consistency and ease as Nilsson. I think Nilsson is THE greatest Brunhilde, Turandot, Electra and Salome and Flagstad was the best Isolde. I have the love duet from Isolde with Flagstad and Melchoir. That will never be equaled.
***** Nilsson's chest voice is not her strongest attributes although she used it well. However, Nilsson is capable of the low G flat which is Salome's lowest note. Another great dramatic soprano is Rysanek, who had a big and beautiful voice. She was one of the greatest Sieglinde's. I think you may agree with me that Rysanek is underrated . I heard her live and her voice was astonishing. A highlight of truly great dramatic singing was her Chrysothemis to Nilsson's Electra.
@@vettegaddia6234 All of you are wrong. The greatest Wagnerian soprano of the recording era was, hands down, Frida Leider. Such a triple threat of vocal power, rich musicality and intense ultra-femininity has never been heard since her prime.
Sublimes !!!
All hail the Queen
Une des scènes les plus émouvantes de la " Tétralogie " ! Deux magnifiques cantatrices !!! Emploi judicieux des "Leitmotive " , comme toujours chez Wagner !!! ! Apparition de deux nouveaux motifs splendides , d'une importance capitale !! Sublime !!!
I both love and hate this clip:
- For her voice to sail over the orchestra at crescendo at THE pivotal moment in the whole ring, really sends shivers down my spine! She and Levine also works so well to get the timing perfect! I could just watch this forever.
- On the flip side, this has ruined every single other Walkure production I've seen. When this moment arrives, I wait and expect a Jessye rendition, but come away disappointed, because the singer is either overpowered by the orchestra, or the conductor has to rush to allow the singer enough breath to sustain the volume.
You know I love the golden age singers as much as the next,but Nilsson isn't the only way this music can be sung. Alot of it is very lyrical, which Behrens brings across beautifully. Also from all accounts her voice was wonderful in the hall, it descended from on high almost, perfect for a goddess. Also Norman = AMAZING :)
What always got me hearing Behrens live more times than I can count during her prime, as here, was the way her voiced blossomed, ravished and filled the house on tackling the highest notes. The only comparable voice in my opinion and for the same reason was that of Gabriella Benackova..... full of darkness and brightness.
This is a smaller but still nilsonnesque style to me
OMG Phenomenal!!!!!
1:13-2:18 Helluva boss fans, recall this part. It’s in episode 4 CHERUBS.
I'm glad I'm not the only one here for that reason lmao
Brava. Norman!!
This recording was made when J Norman was at her prime. Later
she could sound flat on high notes..... Here she sounds marvellous. Love it!
But she is almost inaudible against the music.
@@cush6827 What?
Can you sing?
Cush I am sorry, but I think your headphones are broken....
@@cush6827 Bull...I find her voice is in perfect sync with the music and it's just the right amount of power to be perfectly heard, but also feel one with the music. I dislike when singers overpower the orchestra way too much that it feels like it's two separate sounds all together. The voice is an instrument that should intertwine with the music, not be completely above it.
Besides, when you sing Wagner, you have to sing intelligently because singing consistently at full power over that enormous orchestra will ruin your voice in the long run. I don't know why people think just because you have a big voice, you need to be singing at full power 24/7. You must sing with intelligence, not just with volume alone.
Singing at full power and exhausting the voice is why many Wagnerian singers have relatively short careers regardless of whether they have good techniques or not. There are moments when you can unleash full power, but you must do it sparingly to preserve the voice.
The proof is in the pudding: Jessye Norman had a 30-35 year long singing career and was singing beautifully up until the early 2000s, whereas many other Wagnerian singers sang for like 5 or 10 years and then lost their voices and fell into obscurity. In fact, this is something that Jessye Norman herself complained about when she first went to sing in Berlin in '68-'69...she was listening to 30-something year olds who had vocal wobbles.
Immortali Behrens e Norman!
This is probably one of the most moving moments in Wagner opera. And to have Jessye norman with the spir in absolutely brilliant!
Norman's voice sounds huge in this video. Never heard her in person though.
It was HUGE in person.
YOU BETTER SING, JESSYE!!! YESSS!
Stupendous
@Greatfan One mustn't underestimate the difficulties of Sieglinde. For most of the evening the role is quite low, thickly orchestrated, heavy on the strings, which are dangerous for the female voice. The entrance of Siegmund & Sieglinde Act 2 (f. ex.)That's where you hear the quality of a Sieglinde (BTW here you couldn't always hear Norman in the house). Once the soprano gets to Act 3 she's home free. I've never heard a bad "O hehrstes Wunder."
HOLY SHIT!!!!!
An angel gone to heaven RIP
..and Epic it is!! Just fantastic.
Göttliche Musik himmlisch gesungen
Que sua alma descanse em paz, Jessye.........
BRÜNNHILDE:
Fly from him swiftly
Away to the East!
Bold in defiance,
endure every ill,
hunger and thirst,
thorns and the stones;
laugh at the pain
and grief that will come!
But one thing know,
and guard it forever:
the noblest hero of all,
he shall be born,
O maid, from your womb!
Sensational. Forever.....BRAVA!
She was touched by God.
Jessye is truly the stuff of what legends are made of!
I really was not expecting that
I have this as my ring tone too!! hahaha.
Magnifico
At 1:25 just incredible!!
I love Jessye Norman here, and @bcom11 that made me laugh. get ya shout on
*Jessye at the height of her powers!*
Agreed!
WHEW !!! STILL AS OVERWHELMING AS THAT NIGHT IT WAS ON TV
Madame Jessye came in like a good t and everyone became background dancers.