This is a reissue of Maria Callas' first Norma at Covent Garden. In fact, it was her first production of any opera there, one that marked the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship. As you would expect from a live recording made in 1952, the sound is not spectacular, but it is better than many from that era, and the performance is worth putting up with the noise. Norma was a signature role for Callas, and for good reason. She knew how to make bel canto work, how to find the essential and elusive balance between music ...
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This is a reissue of Maria Callas' first Norma at Covent Garden. In fact, it was her first production of any opera there, one that marked the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship. As you would expect from a live recording made in 1952, the sound is not spectacular, but it is better than many from that era, and the performance is worth putting up with the noise. Norma was a signature role for Callas, and for good reason. She knew how to make bel canto work, how to find the essential and elusive balance between music and drama; every phrase is filled with pathos, but that pathos is communicated primarily through line and color -- very rarely through obvious emoting. Since she was still near the beginning of her international career, the freshness of her voice is still intact. This performance also features the legendary Ebe Stignani in the role of Adalgisa (one of her best), and the lesser-known but terrific Mirto Picchi and Giacomo Vaghi as Pollione and Oroveso, respectively. And, for the...
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Add this copy of Bellini: Norma (Complete Opera Live 1952) With Maria to cart. $17.41, very good condition, Sold by Southern Maryland Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Waldorf, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by EMI Classics.
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