In "Somewhere over the rainbow" I think you'll understand what’s meant by talk of the "dome" of the voice if you’ve ever heard it. It’s the idea that the resonance of a voice stays under a pretend sound umbrella so it never gets “woofy” or “spread.” Kathy exemplifies this idea. Hers is actually a very light voice but it's both in her head and very clear - front and clear are not the same thing. Let me know what you think.
The first video up, “Scandalize My name” a part of the “Spirituals in Concert” was so interesting, because there was so much to observe with such a small amount of text. You really get a sense of the performers, Jessye and Kathleen! And their singing seemed so free and easy, because they allowed their characters to really shine out because it was based in the music. The technique is so sound that it is really difficult to find flaw with either performer. I really especially enjoyed Kathleen’s coloratura at the end. It was so clean and done with precision!
Ride on! Ride Ride Ride! She does this song with such style, if it weren’t Jessye, I can’t say I’d be so interested in the way she scoops into the beginning of the song, but then, I’m sure it is stylistically acceptable, furthermore, it’s Jessye FREAKING NORMAN! Even with her gestures she stays in her body with the sound, and she breathes so low the sound almost seems to come down into her body as she stretches into the high notes. It is truly a fierce performance. Throughout the performance no matter the intensity she never comes out of her body and always stays on the voice.
Kathleen in this stunning performance really seems a little over-gesticulated when it comes down to it. 3:14 the vowel of “I” seemed a little spread. All things considered it certainly works for her, they way in which she delivers, and it comes to the charm of the performance. Again, with a song that fits a stylistic format such as this, I suppose it is acceptable to some time straight tone or do slight scoops. Overall it was a very effective performance with a very connected technique that allows her to achieve the the high notes.
Jessye Norman and Kathleen Battle - He scandalized my name
Jessye Norman - Ride on King Jesus
Kathleen Battle - Over the Rainbow
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