Stand Up Straight and Sing!

by Jessye Norman

Grammy Award-winning Jessye Norman is a once-in-a-generation star, a singer whose astonishing talent, technical expertise and incomparable stage presence have made her one of the world's foremost classical performers of modern times. The possessor of a gloriously rich and powerful voice with a uniquely wide vocal range, Jessye Norman has sought to redefine the role of a soprano and is renowned as an unparalleled modern interpreter of the operatic repertory, from Wagner to Strauss. Her genius has been appreciated the world over, earning her plaudits including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and membership of the Royal Academy of Music. Stand Up Straight and Sing! tells the extraordinary story of Jessye's journey from small-town America to the opera houses of London, Paris, Berlin, and New York, in a career defined by astonishing longevity and relentless dedication. This is the story of the woman behind the voice, and is an absolute must-read for any fans of opera, as well as those wishing to gain an insight into the strength and determination that lie at the heart of this remarkable success story.

• ISBN10: 0544003403
• ISBN13: 9780544003408
• Publish Date: 6 May 2014 (first published 1 January 2014)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 21 April 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Houghton Mifflin
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 336
• Language: English

Reviews

[lovelybookshelf]

Originally posted on my blog, A Lovely Bookshelf on the Wall:

American opera star and recitalist Jessye Norman is one of the most celebrated and highly respected singers in the world. In her upcoming memoir Stand and Straight and Sing!, she shares what it was like to grow up in the segregated South and how she made her way to stages across the globe.

Norman's conversational tone is intimate and remarkably kind, even when she shares a story that could portray a colleague in an unflattering light. She also has a rebellious, "don't tell me I can't do that" kind of spirit, combined with a hint of diva, a hint of tomboy, and a very strong sense of security and comfort in who she is. To be honest, I found her to be just delightful! I wanted to know all about the stories she had to tell.

Something that really stood out to me is how Norman recalls her family and community with such great fondness and gratitude. That is always refreshing in a memoir. I came away loving her mom especially, and thinking about what an amazing woman she must have been.

That being said, it's hard for me to gauge how non-musicians will feel about the book. There are some amazing passages about her childhood and the impact of major events in history (especially the fall of the Berlin Wall). Naturally, there are also long stretches that focus on her profession. Here's where I'm torn: there are times when she explains musical terms or traditions so a layperson could understand, yet there are times when she doesn't. I'm a professional and still had to look up a term or two that is specific to the vocal world. If you're a classical music or opera enthusiast or professional, this will be a sure winner. Otherwise, there might be a large portion of the book you aren't all that interested in.

As for me, I loved Stand and Straight and Sing!. I never grew tired of Norman's stories, and I feel I came out of the book with a deeper appreciation for what singers do, as well as some new insights I can apply in own work.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.