Click on the Image below to play the song God Has Sent To Us One Of His Angels -- Full Of Beauty, Charm and Grace -- Possessing The Voice Of A Heavenly Choir --To Share With Us His Gift Of Music !! WEB Site, click [ HERE ] **** Facebook page, click [ HERE ] Click [ HERE ] to read "Sissel - The Spirit Within" Click [ HERE ] to read an "Open Letter" to Sissel Click [ HERE ] to read an interesting article about Sissel Click [ HERE ] to read, "A Glimpse at Norwegian Society"

This might be Sissel's reaction after viewing these three fabulous "Limited Edition" DVD Collections by her !!

Firstly, we are pleased to offer this Commemorative "Collector's Edition" of the "Reflections Series" that Sissel released in 2019. It is a four disk DVD set consisting of 51 Music Videos and 51 corresponding "Talks" Videos. Please to be taken to the product page for more information and/or to place an order. Secondly, we are VERY pleased to offer this four DVD Commemorative "Collector's Edition" -- "Platinum Treasures", consisting of: "Sissel w. the Tabernacle Choir", "Strålende Jul w. Sissel", and a collection of "Platinum Favorites". Please to be taken to the product page for more information and/or to place an order. Thirdly, we are IMMENSELY pleased to offer this four DVD Commemorative "Collector's Edition" -- "Sissel's World", including original songs with lyrics written by Sissel herself. Please to be taken to the product page for more information and/or to place an order.

Listen to one of our "Selections of the Month"

In this article, I am going to consider the roles of "Constraint and Freedom" in the release of latent human potential I am going to look at the career and life of a remarkable Norwegian artist/singer by name of Sissel Kyrkjebø and one song that she wrote entitled, "Free". I am going to consider "Freedom" vs. Anarchy and Nihilism. We will also look at "Constraint" vs. mindless, slavish, zombie-like Compliance to political, religious and social conditioning and "established norms". You may listen to and view her song and talk at the end of the article. In her "Talk", Sissel notes that Janis Joplin sang a song with the lyrics, "Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose". She also states THAT is NOT the type of "Freedom" that SHE desires. She further states that THIS type of "Freedom" -- Absolute Freedom is nothing less than ANARCHY, where no one is either safe nor truly "free" to develop and grow into the being that God intended them to become. Commentors on this phrase in relation to Joplin's life see it to mean that this so-called "freedom" is, in fact, a "Nihilistic freedom". It merely entails "freedom" from self-development, ANY duties to God or man, constraining relationships (such as marriage), roots and lasting connections, social contribution, and even from responsibility to yourself as a God-created human being with destiny and purpose. The practical results of this "freedom" is a life TOTALLY devoid of contribution, goals, meaning, motivation, purpose, vision - in fact - from ANY form of constructive, imaginative, intelligent fulfillment and satisfaction. God has "created us in His Image". This means that He has placed within our heart and spirit a portion of His life. God is a "creative being" -- meaning that, in part, it is His delight, joy and purpose to bring into creation the fruit of His "Divine Imagination" -- and to take delight, joy and satisfaction in the "handiwork of His hands" !! When there was nothing but God alone, there was a "Vision" within Himself. He desired to have a material creation in which He could delight and manifest Himself through. The same goes for Man. We all need a "Dream" or a "Vision" as to what God can and wants to accomplish in and through our individual lives. His Word tells us that "Without a Vision (Dream), the people perish (are lost, aimless, go astray)". It is built into us to be creative, purposeful beings. Without this Vision, we are aimless - destitute in heart, mind and spirit - empty vessels. We are, in fact, lower than the animals that walk this earth - THEY at least have a God-given Purpose that THEY fulfill !! All that is left to the soul totally devoid of Purpose and Vision is a hungry worm, endlessly gnawing away at the emptiness within - seeking food, fulfillment and nourishment - and finding instead NOTHING but an empty soul, which it ultimately consumes !! This was the plight of a VERY large part of the "Hippie Generation" (of which Joplin was a major idol and spokes-person). Finding that the Garden of Eden, Moksha /Nirvana or Shangala that they were promised by their flimflam "spiritual guides" never materialized, they sought to feed this "gnawing worm" with drugs, music, false religion, and sex. This, however, was NOT the "food" that it craved and needed. Unfulfilled, many of them returned back to the life and society that they had rejected, and became part of the "Visionless Mass", play-acting at a life without any REAL purpose. Others found the LIFE that God had originally intended for them through Jesus Christ. TOO many, however, continued on as "lifeless shells" - still trying to "suck fulfillment and meaning" out of their empty lives. They ended up being consumed with nothing but children's fantasies and play-toys -- forever disillusioned and overgrown, adolescent "Hippies". Some have tried to justify this mentality by appealing to the Bible scripture verse Luke 14:33 (and others like it) -- "So then, everyone of you who does not take leave of all that he himself has is not able to be My disciple".. Jesus is NOT talking about literal poverty, any more than he is literally commanding His disciples to "hate your own father and mother, and wife and children" in verse 26 What he IS saying is, "Get you priorities in order !! If you want to follow me, you must forsake (surrender) your claim to (say good-bye to) ALL earthly and material attachments. Until you recognize that everything you have belongs to ME, you can NOT be My disciple" !! As a matter of fact, quite to the contrary, Jesus makes it VERY clear that His is a VERY sound investment program !! Peter began to speak to him,"Look, we have left everything to follow you!". Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, there is no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive in this age a hundred times as much -- homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, fields -- all with persecutions -- and in the age to come, eternal life". **** Mark 10: 28-30 Jesus also made it VERY clear in the "Parable of the Talents" (Matthew 25:14-30) that He expects EACH one to FULLY use and produce an increase with and by the gifts and talents that He has given to them. He pronounces stern displeasure upon the "unfruitful servant" who merely, "hid his talent in the ground" -- failed not only to produce an increase, but failed to utilize it AT ALL !! Sissel did not desire a "freedom" that amounted to nothing more than goalless, individualistic, rebellious selfishness. NO, rather, she desired a "Freedom" that would provide an atmosphere where she was free and unfettered to discover and actualize the latent gifts, powers and talents that God had placed within her !! She says that she desires to be a contributing, responsible human being with ties to colleagues, family, friends and society. THIS, she realizes, entails a certain degree of God-defined and instituted ethical and moral CONSTRAINT placed upon her life. This is necessary to insure a society where ALL can live a creative, productive and safe life. As in ALL other areas of her life, this area of "Constraint vs. Freedom" involves the "polar extremes" of her person. In her song "Free", she expresses her VERY independent spirit by the line, "If I am allowed to choose, I will follow MY own view". In her early 20's, she scandalized many who knew her when she shed her, "Angelic Persona" - characterized by her long blond hair - sweet appearance, demeanor and persona - and the songs that she had been singing -- and "declared herself". This she did by cutting her hair VERY short, dying it a dark color, and donning drab clothing - as seen in her "1994 Japan Concert". However, as her career progressed, she distinguished herself more and more as she discovered and unleashed the VAST reservoir of individuality, potential and versatility that God had placed within this magnificent "Earthen vessel". While she continued to live her life within the constraints that she talks about, she also cut herself free from the unsolicited criticisms, evaluations, judgments, opinions and restrictions of others as what was correct for HER, or what SHE was (or was not) able and capable of doing. Her life TRULY reflects the journey and spirit of "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" - of which I created a video to express the course of her life, and which you may view at the end of this article. To offer up a quote from the book, "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" by Richard Bach -- “The only true law (constraint) is that which leads to freedom.” If you wish to read the book (VERY short and easy reading), click [ HERE ]. For a brief summary of the book, click [ HERE ]. Jesus Christ noted (in the Christian Bible) that a house (life) built upon the firm foundation of God's established principles and words would endure against the "adversities and storms" of life. One however, erected upon the shifting sands of popular opinion, "pop psychology" and fleeting trends would disintegrate when subjected to the fierce winds of said "storms" !! I am NOT going to belabor this point, for ANY honest person possessing "eyes that can see and ears that can hear" need only to look about them at the state of society in general - and the lives of the vast majority of those living in it - to ascertain the truth (or falsehood) of the statement !! Physical and mental powers require "constraint" or opposition if they are to grow and develop. Muscles develop and grow stronger as they are forced to overcome greater and greater resistance. Mental power increases as it is used to analyze, confront, and solve greater and greater problems. Maturity develops as we encounter and correctly deal with, overcome and solve the obstacles and problems of life. Our "Spiritual Life" develops and grows stronger as we resist evil and commit ourselves to ethical, godly and moral choices and conduct !!

This brings us to the specific point of Sissel herself and HER career and life. She was born and raised in Norway - a relatively (at least in certain aspects during the time of her growth) constraining society. One VERY important feature was its stress on and tradition for achievement and personal excellence, while attributing success to and sharing it with your colleagues. Along with this, they STRONGLY discouraged the attitudes of arrogance, pride, selfishness, "spotlight seeking" and vainglory ("Janteloven") that are SO prevalent in the USA. These two facts no doubt strongly contributed to her going on to be one of the HIGHEST achieving, MOST talented and versatile artist/ singers of ALL time. Even more remarkable - in the face of these achievments - most people who experience and know her state that she possesses an authenticity, genuineness, humility and modesty that are TOTALLY disarming and endearing. Read an interesting article on "Janteloven" [ HERE ]. ****** To view a short video (7 minutes) revealing how this enviroment played out in Sissel's life, contributing toward the making of who and what she is today [ CLICK HERE ]. She was surrounded by a loving, supportive family who provided the security and space to investigate and explore "who Sissel was", to grow, and to embrace HER dreams and desires. Her parents didn't try to "squeeze her into a mold" that THEY had made. They embraced her interest in and love of music without exerting any pressure as to what THEY thought she should be and do. These accepting, encouraging and loving surroundings - that helped to instill self-confidence and self-worth in her - constituted at least a part of the reason why Sissel was able to ACTUALIZE the LATENT gifts and talents that were already present within her . As God continued to give Life to her Dream, she didn't have that inner (and outer) voice telling her, "be careful, that's not for you, you can't do that, what if you fail, what will people think". The opportunity was there - the desire was there - she didn't worry about failure or "what will people think" - she just went ahead and DID what needed to be done. Perhaps at times she DID fail, but she picked herself up, learned from the experience, and moved onward to the next challenge and opportunity !! For most of us "lesser mortals", our journey is truncated because of fear of failing or fear of the unknown - not being willing to forgo our present comfort and/or security - lack of confidence in ourselves, in our dreams, in our life purpose and/or vision - OR, just plain laziness !! In other words - in Sissel's case - she was able (through the strength and vision that God provided for her) to move OUT of the "crippling, suffocating,dark valley" of the criticisms, expectations and limitations of OTHERS. Having thusly escaped the bondage of the lower plains - she was free to "soar on eagle's wings" high above - among the mountain tops - on God's enablement, strength and vision for her. She states that she loved music from her youngest years. As she grew and matured, she realized that she had ONE compelling Dream and Desire -- to SING. She embraced that Dream with her whole being, desire, energy and life. She came to see that God had entrusted a GREAT Gift into her keeping - her tremendous talent and her voice - and that she was responsible to use it wisely and to glorify Him in and through it. Over the years, this gift - her voice and the massive versatility of her talent, along with the fulness of her WHOLE person - have grown to supernatural proportions !! In keeping with her background, she has stated repeatedly that she never sought for fame, riches nor stardom (though these have been granted to her in abundance). ALL that she ever wanted to do was to SING. This was her food, her joy, her lifeblood, and her purpose in life. Along these lines, it is interesting to note that when she was about 18 years old, she told an American music producer - who wanted to make her into what he termed, "A BIG Star" - that she didn't want to be MADE into anything by him, or squeezed into some "box". She wanted to be FREE to be HERSELF --- what and who God made HER to be !! According to two different interviews, Sissel was also ADAMANT in maintaining her personal "freedom" as her career developed and grew. One interviewer asked her if she had ever considered a career in opera. She replied that she had, but discovered that the training was too demanding and constraining. An opera singers voice must be especially and laboriously trained for singing opera. She stated that she was not willing to devote the needed effort nor time to this ONE channel. She wanted to be FREE to pursue ALL genre and styles of music as her ability, desire and inspiration moved her. She was also asked if she had ever considered a career in acting. She replied that she had acted in a number of productions when she was young, but found that the routine of being "boxed" into one area of activity for a long period of time - and repeating the same daily routine over-and-over - did not appeal to her. Also, she found the long, repetitious rehearsals to be rather boring !! Obviously Sissel - like ALL "genius personalities" - valued the "freedom" to pursue her OWN "artistic expression" on HER schedule as SHE felt so inspired and moved. She was DEFINITELY not willing to be placed in ANY "box" - nor constrained by someone else's goals and/or schedule for her - nor by boring repetition ! Apparently, Sissel did not require external "constraint" in her life to achieve her goals, but had sufficient INTERNAL "constraint" in the form of the compelling drive to do and to give her utmost in order to discover and actualize ALL that God has placed within her. She stated that the legacy that she wished to leave behind would be that she had done her VERY best to develop and maximize her own self and her talents - and to enrich her beloved "musical world" with the fruits of this labor. Empowered by the knowledge of where she came from, who she is, and where she is going, Sissel has continually allowed God to expand and stretch her, opening up new vistas of talent within her, and (as she put it) enabling her to continually move beyond her (perceived) "comfort zone". Over the years, Sissel has performed just about EVERY genre, style and type of music that there is, in a number of different languages. She has performed with many major artists, participated in many concerts, and appeared a number of times as guest soloist with the Tabernacle Choir in Utah. Also, she and her husband have written numerous songs together. Sissel is TRULY an enigma - a woman of contradictions, intrigue and mystery. She started out as an average teenager, from an average family, in a small average home, located in a small city in Norway. She has matured into a Cosmopolitan, Glamorous, Sophisticated, Urbane, and Highly Esteemed and Talented Woman. She has at least two very definite sides to her being. There is her VERY "angelic, pure, spiritual" side that everyone is always commenting about. Then there is also her free-spirited, fun-loving, pixie like, saucy, sensual, sexy, spicy side. These two sides seem to be wedded together into one VERY extraordinary human being !! Observe a brief view of this in the video, "Fever-Varen" at the end of the article. I have been studying the works of a German, Lutheran Mystic by name of Jacob Boehme. He advocates that all of creation exists and functions under three principles: (1). Fire - (the Masculine) the primordial power of chaotic, undifferentiated, uncontrolled energy called "Darkness" (2). Light - (the Feminine) the Principle of beauty, creativity, (Divine) love, mercy, order, sensitivity, and tenderness (3). A reconciling power that maintains equilibrium between the first two and keeps them from separating An unbalance between one and two produces either: (1). a state of chaos, evil and (spiritual) darkness (which we see increasing in the world today) (2). a state of apathy, confusion, inaction, indecision, and (emotional and spiritual) weakness BOTH the Fire and the Light are essential for ANY life, but they must be held in proper equilibrium. As Sissel so colorfully phrases the matter in her song, "Sometimes we need to act like a bull -- sometimes smooth as a bee": (1). In humans - without the Light - we see brutality, chaos, evil, harshness, lack of love, narcissism, perversion, lack of sensitivity and tenderness, violence, etc. (2). However, without the fire, a human is stripped of the creating power to achieve and become the "Image of God" - for it is in the Fire that courage, determination, life energy and strength are found. However, humanity - having already lost this balance as a whole: (1) has feared the chaotic - uncontrolled - violent energy, power and strength of the fire - and sought to abolish, suppress and tame it through government, FALSE religion or social control. (2). or, at the other extreme, are those who have worshipped the POWER and made it into an idol and their "god" - seeking to put other men and the world at large under THEIR controll - and strip the world of beauty, goodness, love and all things tender. Sissel seems to have achieved the RARE feat (of genius) of alloying BOTH principles in harmony within her being, creating the gifted, powerful (in love), talented -- extraordinary human being that we find her to be today !! Sissel is MANY different "Persons" !! She is a complex, emotional, intelligent, intuitive, HIGHLY "spiritual" being. She is the innocent, shy, sweet "girl next door". She is the modest, simple, unassuming, "country-girl" from a small city in Norway. She is the cosmopolitan, glamorous, renowned, sophisticated - "woman of the world". She is the "pure, simple soul" who loves nature - and to be alone in it to relish its Beauty and Wonders. She is the driven, perfectionist entertainer "par excellence". She is the loving, nurturing mother and wife who values God, her family, her home and her privacy. She is the international "darling and love" of 10's of thousands - who captivates and mesmerizes them with her astonishing beauty, charisma, and musical and theatrical talent. She is - without question - THE "Musical Genius" of her time. She is a "mischievous pixie" and a "divine Love-gift" from God. She can perform the most sacred - and the most sensual - of musical treasures with equal perfection and sincerity. In my mind (and I believe that in the minds of thousands of her fans) Sissel is THE "Woman par Excellence" - embodying within herself ALL that is magnificent, wonderful and to be admired in femininity and womanhood. Her life has been a living monument to the qualities of ability, achievement, dedication, hard work, modesty, virtue (for the most part), and wisdom. She is a role model that ANYONE (man or woman) would do VERY well to emulate. I admire and respect her more, perhaps, than I have ever done regarding anyone else!! I think that she is a living testimony of our time as to what a person can achieve and be when the creative power within the human soul and spirit, in harmony with the Life and Power of God's Spirit, can be free to express itself --- free from self-appointed (and internal) critics - fear - external expectations - and the stifling and suffocating interference, meddling and restraints of government, (false, man-imposed) religion and society. God certainly GAVE to her an abundance of Charisma, Gifting and Talent - but she has WORKED very hard over the years developing, growing, perfecting - and learning how to utilize these to their utmost ! I guess they are like seeds -- if you want a good, bountiful crop, the seedlings need to be cultivated and nurtured. Otherwise, they will simply wither and die !!

****** I believe that THIS could be Sissel's *** "Life Motto or Mantra" !! ******

"It is NOT the critic who counts, NOT the person who points out how the strong one stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the one who is actually IN the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short ; who fights and falls and rises to fight again and again. It is given to such as this to know the great enthusiasms, the great devotions -- who spend themselves in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if they fail, at least fail while daring greatly. The place of such a One as this shall NEVER be with those cold and timid souls, who know neither victory nor defeat !"

Here are four companion songs to the "Sissel's Mantra or Life Motto" that I posted above. They DEFINATELY reflect and spell out the Spirit of her Career and Life. She had a dream in her teen's -- to sing!! She has indeed followed that dream with all of her heart - giving to it her entire life and being, overcoming every obstacle. In the process, this Dream has released God's "inner power and resources" that neither she nor the world would have ever dreamt that she possessed without her Courage, Faith, Perseverance and downright HARD WORK. She has indeed spent her life "climbing every mountain" and pursuing her dream "wherever it would lead her". It has led her to abounding, supernatural Fame, Glory and Sucess as a world acclaimed, one-of-a-kind entertainer, singer and woman. WAY TO GO Sissel - You are our HERO !! Please Click [ HERE ] to read a short article on my perspective regarding Sissel's "Gifts and Talent", and the use that she has made of them throughout her life. Click [ HERE ] to read an "Open Question for Sissel" regarding HER "Life Perspective".

Sissel Kyrkjebø, the international singing sensation and national treasure of Norway, is established as one of the world's leading crossover sopranos. Her angelic and powerful voice has made her a national institution. She has contributed haunting vocals for the soundtrack to "Titanic" and "The Lord of the Rings", as well as selling over ten million solo albums. In 2006, her album, "The Spirit of the Season" with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir went to number one on the Billboard Classical Charts, and received a Grammy nomination. She captivated the whole nation of Norway in 1986, when she sang during the break at the Eurovision final in Bergen - only 16 years old and dressed in a white bunad (traditional Norwegian folk costume). Since then, her fame and success have just continued to soar. She has been praised and acclaimed at home and abroad, and masters both the small and the very large formats -- everything from American TV shows to film music. Her singing knows no bounds - she masters all genres - from opera to rap! She has sung all over the world, and has performed duets with singers like Charles Aznavour, Andrea Bocelli, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo, Mario Frangoulis, Josh Groban, Brian May, Neil Sedaka, Bryn Terfel, Russell Watson and rapper Warren G. Her list of achievements makes you dizzy -- ranging from Schubert to Deep Purple - "O mio babbino caro" to "Udsigter fra Ulrikken". Truly a very remarkable talent and voice that only comes once in our lifetime! It is difficult to say anything that hasn't already been said about Sissel, but "National Treasure" and "Norway's Joint Voice" are two of the terms used about the "girl from Bergen". In 2005, she was knighted by the King of Norway, being the youngest ever to receive this honor. On June 28, 2025, Sissel finally performed with the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra - on the island of Stangholmen - during the Risør chamber music festival. This was her first appearance at this six day festival. On September 4, 2025, she (along with two other contestants) was awarded the "Anders Jahres Culture Prize". This is Norway's largest honorary award for outstanding cultural efforts. The prize was awarded for the first time in 1990, and this year's edition is the 36th in a row. The prize winners are honored with an awards ceremony that takes place in the University Hall in Oslo, followed by a gala dinner at Hotel Continental. The prize consists of an amount of NOK 500,000, a hand-calligraphed diploma and a beautiful watercolor by Håkon Gullvåg. Click here for the: Music Brainz -- Discography -- List of Songs For Biography Sites, click: [ HERE ], [HERE], [ HERE ], [ HERE ], [ HERE ], [ HERE ], [ HERE ], [ HERE ], and [ HERE ].

	Download a [ .ZIP ] file containing over 600 - MANY FRAMED - portraits of Sissel [ HERE ]. Note: It is a VERY large file, 900 Mb.
PLEASE NOTE: In the event that a large window containing an ad should appear in the middle of the download screen, simply click on the white "X" above the upper right corner of the ad to close the ad. ****** PLEASE - Be sure to read the "IMPORTANT NOTICE.txt" in the .ZIP file !!

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