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Sissel

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Sissel Kyrkjebø, known outside Norway simply as Sissel, is a Norwegian soprano, born in Bergen in 1969. She grew up in Lønborg and at first wanted to become a nurse, until music became her passion when she was nine. For seven years she sang in a children's choir led by the New Zealand-born conductor Felicity Laurence. That choir sang everything, from classical and jazz to folk songs and Maori songs, with a clear, pure sound. She won a local talent contest at the age of ten and appeared on Norwegian TV programmes in the 1980s, such as Syng med oss.

Music and breakthrough

In Norway she broke through at the end of the 1980s and the early 1990s, including with her version of Ole Paus's Innerst i sjelen, in English Deep in My Soul. In 1994 she sang the Olympic Hymn at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter Games in Lillehammer. She sang duets with Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, Andrea Bocelli and The Chieftains and took part in the soundtrack of the film Titanic. Her albums include Deep Within My Soul from 1995, All Good Things from 2000 and Spirit of the Season from 2007, with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which received Grammy nominations.

Influence

Her style ranges from pop and folk songs to classical singing and arias. She sings mainly in English and Norwegian, but also in many other languages. She is regarded as one of the best crossover sopranos in the world. Her pure, clear voice from the choir remained her trademark.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Innerst i sjelen, in English Deep in My Soul, and notice her voice: clear and pure, without heavy vibrato, almost like a voice from a children's choir.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

See also

Categories: Artists