although norman was often considered a dramatic soprano, she became also known for roles traditionally sung by other types of voices. from her student days, norman was selective about her repertoire, heeding her own instincts and interests more than the advice of her teachers or requests of her management. at the beginning of her career, this tendency put her at odds with the deutsche oper and compelled her to seek out musical works on her own that she felt better suited her. norman told john gruen of "the new york times": "as for my voice, it cannot be categorizedand i like it that way, because i sing things that would be considered in the dramatic, mezzo or spinto range. i like so many different kinds of music that i've never allowed myself the limitations of one particular range."