One of the most exciting advances in the education of young singers, actors and musicians is the advent and availability of YouTube. Available for study are an unlimited number of definitive performances both audio and video previously unavailable or at best, rarely available and extremely difficult to find. It is critical, however, to be careful to watch and listen to only the best performances of the repertoire or genre you are studying. It is as easy to absorb negative characteristics of a performance as it is to aspire to the admirable qualities of the artists we revere. Knowing which videos to watch and which to avoid is complicated and subjective. (I will share more ideas about this in a future blog.) A wonderful example of videos to watch and learn from on YouTube are selections from the film Jessye Norman: A Portrait (Andre Heller, 2005)
Of course the artist has a reputation for delivering consummate performances. But here the filmmaker gives us an up-close view of Ms. Norman rarely afforded on screen and never live. We literally see inside the throat of the singer, who in this case is perhaps the greatest vocal instrument ever. I have had the great fortune to hear Jessye Norman live many times, back in Michigan first at Interlochen National Music Camp and then in the University of Michigan's Hill Auditorium, in New York (at the Met and other venues), and more recently in San Francisco with the San Francisco Symphony and at the Hollywood Bowl performing Laura Karpman's Ask Your Mama. None of these extraordinary performances allowed me to see how Ms. Norman sings and assess the concepts and technique that I teach with the production of this exemplary artist. But the film and the excerpts available on YouTube provide great insight into how such a great singer actually sings.
I would not presume to speak for Ms. Norman, nor do I have specific knowledge of her thoughts on vocal production. However, I recommend watching this video to see clear examples of pharyngeal vowel production, releasing the jaw, raising the soft palate, breathing as a release of the tone and a preparation for the following phrase (inspiration), accessing resonators in the mask, communicating the lyric and truthful emotional intensity.
I think any student of singing will benefit from careful observation of Ms. Norman, drinking in and allowing inspiration from her passion, commitment and technical production.
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