I was lucky enough to see her live in her hometown back in 2006. She was very gracious, recognizing her high school choir director and her first accompanist who were in the audience. Recordings do not do her justice....such a perfectly beautifully spun tone.....such superhuman talent!
She brings down opera houses all over the world with stunning performances sung and acted in impeccably spoken foreign languages, executing what seem to be supernatural feats with one of the most sublime voices of the 20th century...but at home, she's just Kathy, whose old-school mom doesn't seem impressed at all by the fact that her baby child brings down opera houses all over the world with stunning performances, etc. Lol.
Kathleen sounds beautiful, but I come back to this video often for that very particular & very subtle SHADE that only black, southern church folk can serve up. I live chile
for fault, why not thank her for being the only opera singer to date brave enough to let us meet her family and go back home with her? She was not obligated to do that. Just showing us home, allowing herself to be video taped in rollers and a big fluffy robe is humble. Who else has done that? Giving her family time to talk - humble. Taking the back seat to and praising her sister's voice - humble. I don't see a crazy superstar, I see a genuine person - a RARE find today!
How graciously warm and comfortable Miss Battle is at home. What a close knit family too. What opera super star let's us into her home with family and with rollers in her hair? And she felt so happy to be back in her home town. This was so enjoyable to watch. Thanks!
No one is uncomfortable except you. In the black church tradition, dressing up and wearing hats is the norm. For a member of her renown to come back, she is expected to stand out; that's what people want. Her family was proud of her and she of them, it was obvious to me. She was absolutely gracious and kind. A Diva of the best kind and deservedly so.
I thought it was great for her to come home and do this video...we never know what a person's family is like, and no family I have ever met is perfect. We all do the best we can, God bless her and her family, for sharing the talent and entertainment. This world is blessed to have beautiful music to uplift our souls. Thanks Kathleen...and thanks also to your family. Keep singing!!! Love it. Love it.
It is not uncommon to see women in hats on Easter Sunday. KB is not the only one seen donning one in the video. And it should be said that this was a superstar coming home. Likewise, I don't see haughtiness in her demeanor. She is well dressed but why shouldn't she be? In the kitchen, I see a close-knit family, and the baby of that family preparing for a story she knows well and wishes not to hear again- a familiar scene in any family but this one just happens to be hers. Rather than looking
She might have been more nervous about singing before her home church than she was singing at the Met. Lol. She was FANTASTIC here. (But what is UP with that choir? No facial expressions of respect or appreciation for their super-talented and world-famous church daughter.)
I couldn't help pick up the shade Kathleen delivered to her sister by calling her "the first one to... um... be thought of as possible... potentially a singer." Couldnt just say she was the first singer of the family.
There was no shade thrown. She meant that BEFORE she was a singer, the family thought that she could be. (I guess the English language is difficult to comprehend sometimes.)
It was the hesitation to call her sister frankly 'the first singer' that made it comical to me. It may not have been to you, but that is a question of humor -- not of the English language per se. So you could have reserved your condescension for a more appropriate situation.
If you´re speaking of the radio version, not sure. I believe the beautiful lead Soprano voice we hear is Kathleen´s sister Carol. She and Kathleen (who is singing harmony) appear to be singing along in the car. Listen earlier when they sing, ´Jesus is tenderly calling´ , the more audible, higher soprano voice is not Kathleen´s, it´s Carol´s. So when she said Carol was the first to be thought of as potentially a singer, we understand why.
Onigbajamo your explanation makes sense. Given that Ohio itself was historically a state that many freed slaves of varying backgrounds called home, I'm guessing Kathleen and her family are multigenerational mixed people. I also thought she was tanned! But she's a sista no doubt! (Fun fact: I named my first daughter after Ms Battle: a pale white-passing, chestnut haired, freckled curious 3 year old. Compared to my other infant daughter, Kathy's white. I guess my genes weren't so strong after all. )
IMO, your interpretation of KB's mannerisms at church and her reaction to the woman who embraced her says more about you than it does about her. It looked to me like she was worrying about her hat being crushed in the hug, a pretty normal woman's reaction. And I didn't see any GRAND acting. And, BTW, I'm well aware of her reputation for being a bitch at the Met.
It almost seems unfair that she is so talented and devastatingly beautiful.
She is gorgeous with an angelic voice
I was lucky enough to see her live in her hometown back in 2006. She was very gracious, recognizing her high school choir director and her first accompanist who were in the audience. Recordings do not do her justice....such a perfectly beautifully spun tone.....such superhuman talent!
baritonebynight
beautiful family
This is the purest we see her. At her home church and simply being "normal"...Thank you Mrs. Battle for the HONOR!!!
She brings down opera houses all over the world with stunning performances sung and acted in impeccably spoken foreign languages, executing what seem to be supernatural feats with one of the most sublime voices of the 20th century...but at home, she's just Kathy, whose old-school mom doesn't seem impressed at all by the fact that her baby child brings down opera houses all over the world with stunning performances, etc. Lol.
Kathleen sounds beautiful, but I come back to this video often for that very particular & very subtle SHADE that only black, southern church folk can serve up. I live chile
It is so cool to see Kathleen Battle go back home and to be so humble with the people she grew up with. What a God-given voice and a cute lady....
Im in love with Carol’s voice.
for fault, why not thank her for being the only opera singer to date brave enough to let us meet her family and go back home with her? She was not obligated to do that.
Just showing us home, allowing herself to be video taped in rollers and a big fluffy robe is humble. Who else has done that? Giving her family time to talk - humble. Taking the back seat to and praising her sister's voice - humble. I don't see a crazy superstar, I see a genuine person - a RARE find today!
I was almost a week old on Easter Sunday in 1992. Lovely to see Kathleen in her hometown.
Excellent everything! Music, trumpet, voice...
RIP Carol and Sharon
How graciously warm and comfortable Miss Battle is at home. What a close knit family too. What opera super star let's us into her home with family and with rollers in her hair? And she felt so happy to be back in her home town. This was so enjoyable to watch. Thanks!
No one is uncomfortable except you. In the black church tradition, dressing up and wearing hats is the norm. For a member of her renown to come back, she is expected to stand out; that's what people want. Her family was proud of her and she of them, it was obvious to me. She was absolutely gracious and kind. A Diva of the best kind and deservedly so.
Kathleen Battle is such a beautiful soul.
What a blessing, and what a close family.
One of the very best ever!!!!
I thought it was great for her to come home and do this video...we never know what a person's family is like, and no family I have ever met is perfect. We all do the best we can, God bless her and her family, for sharing the talent and entertainment. This world is blessed to have beautiful music to uplift our souls. Thanks Kathleen...and thanks also to your family. Keep singing!!! Love it. Love it.
I like her Sunday church outfit.
You're right, I did not hear that before. I thought it was Kathleen Battle singing. They should perform together...
Thanks for pointing that out.
It is not uncommon to see women in hats on Easter Sunday. KB is not the only one seen donning one in the video. And it should be said that this was a superstar coming home. Likewise, I don't see haughtiness in her demeanor. She is well dressed but why shouldn't she be? In the kitchen, I see a close-knit family, and the baby of that family preparing for a story she knows well and wishes not to hear again- a familiar scene in any family but this one just happens to be hers. Rather than looking
I like the song she sung.
Ahhh, I Trust in God...absolutely astonishing rendition!
Family!!
I wish you success on your book Benjamin!
Anyone knows what song they were singing in the car (10:00)?
It's Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross
@kinddude Thank you, do you know by chance whose interpretation it was?
Title of video should be changed to identify Kathy's visit home and interview.
She might have been more nervous about singing before her home church than she was singing at the Met. Lol. She was FANTASTIC here. (But what is UP with that choir? No facial expressions of respect or appreciation for their super-talented and world-famous church daughter.)
Say that again! Haha
HAHA you know how the saying goes a prophet gets no honor in his hometown LOL
I couldn't help pick up the shade Kathleen delivered to her sister by calling her "the first one to... um... be thought of as possible... potentially a singer." Couldnt just say she was the first singer of the family.
There was no shade thrown. She meant that BEFORE she was a singer, the family thought that she could be.
(I guess the English language is difficult to comprehend sometimes.)
It was the hesitation to call her sister frankly 'the first singer' that made it comical to me. It may not have been to you, but that is a question of humor -- not of the English language per se. So you could have reserved your condescension for a more appropriate situation.
It was indeed shade! It was like "They thought it was going to be you but it was ME!"
It was indeed shade! It was like "They thought it was going to be you but it was ME!"
It was indeed shade! It was like "They thought it was going to be you but it was ME!"
If you´re speaking of the radio version, not sure. I believe the beautiful lead Soprano voice we hear is Kathleen´s sister Carol. She and Kathleen (who is singing harmony) appear to be singing along in the car. Listen earlier when they sing, ´Jesus is tenderly calling´ , the more audible, higher soprano voice is not Kathleen´s, it´s Carol´s. So when she said Carol was the first to be thought of as potentially a singer, we understand why.
That choir seemed a bit odd while she was singing.....they didn't seem happy. LOL
History baby, don't for a moment think it was something new with the MET chorus ... they already knew!!
The choir wasn't having it either. SMH.
i was hoping someone else peeped it.
Nice to see the family. Sounds like the real centered around her though.
I want to know what the story is behind why their Grandma was NOT having it that Easter Sunday morning...
She wasn't well? Like they said earlier in the clip? She maybe was tired of the hoopla circus of a camera crew too.
Thomas Martin lol
My auntvwas not feeling well
Is Kathleen mixed race or multigenerational mixed? Her mother looks mixed if not 1/4 black.
Onigbajamo your explanation makes sense. Given that Ohio itself was historically a state that many freed slaves of varying backgrounds called home, I'm guessing Kathleen and her family are multigenerational mixed people.
I also thought she was tanned!
But she's a sista no doubt!
(Fun fact: I named my first daughter after Ms Battle: a pale white-passing, chestnut haired, freckled curious 3 year old. Compared to my other infant daughter, Kathy's white. I guess my genes weren't so strong after all. )
chipette her mother was Native American mixed
Damarius 4life really? Do you know her family personally? :)
Unfortunately, most if not all of us American blacks are mixed, so I'm sure she is.
Kathlern is black
I did not know she was a Protestant. I am very happy to know that she confesses Jesus as Lord of your life. Hallelujah!
The large majority of African-Americans are Protestants, the exception being those from Louisiana and surrounding parts who are Roman Catholic.
What song are they singing in the car??
Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross
@AJS95060 - Jesus Keep Me near the Cross.
IMO, your interpretation of KB's mannerisms at church and her reaction to the woman who embraced her says more about you than it does about her. It looked to me like she was worrying about her hat being crushed in the hug, a pretty normal woman's reaction. And I didn't see any GRAND acting. And, BTW, I'm well aware of her reputation for being a bitch at the Met.
omg that church choir is soooo out of tune