Bellini: Norma: Vincenzo Bellini, Richard Bonynge, Joan Sutherland, Kim Begley, Montserrat Caballe, Diana Montague, Luciano Pavarotti: Amazon.ca: Music

Disc: 1
1. Norma: Sinfonia
2. Norma: Introduzione; Ite sul colle, o Druidi
3. Norma: Svanir le voci!
4. Norma: Meco all'altar di Venere
5. Norma: Me protegge, me difende
6. Norma: Norma viene
See all 10 tracks on this disc
Disc: 2
1. Norma: Sgombra e la sacra selva, compiuto il rito
2. Norma: Deh! proteggimi, o Dio!
3. Norma: Eccolava!, mi lascia, ragion non odo
4. Norma: Va, crudele, al Dio spietato
5. Norma: Vanne, e li cela entrambi
6. Norma: Adalgisa!
See all 15 tracks on this disc
Disc: 3
1. Norma: Introduzione
2. Norma: Dormono entrambi
3. Norma: Mi chiami, o Norma!
4. Norma: Deh! con te, con te li prendi
5. Norma: Mira, o Norma
6. Norma: Si, fino all'ore estreme
See all 18 tracks on this disc

On this CD:

Norma, opera
Composed by Vincenzo Bellini
with Joan Sutherland, Kim Begley, Montserrat Caballe, Diana Montague
Conducted by Richard Bonynge

Product Description

Chronique amazon.fr

Quel plateau a su réunir le chef Richard Bonynge pour cette Norma historique ! Jugez plutôt : Joan Sutherland, Montserrat Caballé, Luciano Pavarotti et Samuel Ramey, rien que du très bon. Le résultat est une Norma où l'expérience de ces grands chanteurs permet de dominer des rôles très difficiles. Le Casta Diva entonné par Joan Sutherland est d'une beauté extatique. Les duos sont, eux aussi, magiques. Bref, Richard Bonynge réalise un bien bel enregistrement de cet opéra phare. --Marc Aigneaux

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Customer Reviews

12 Reviews

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

3.5 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)

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Most helpful customer reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars A missed chance, Jan 29 2004

By	Emma de Soleil "I moved to the UK for another... (On a holiday In Ibiza, then back to the UK for studies) - See all my reviews

Norma is my favourite opera and Sutherland is my third favourite Norma (Nr1 being Callas, Nr2 being Ponselle) but this recording was one of the lowest points in Sutherland's great career. Still, it's great enough to get a two star rating because it's Sutherland. But here we have her sounding more droopy, more woolen and mushy than ever. Gone is the sparkle of her youth (Oh, the live Norma from the MET!) and what is left are "les beaux restes". Of course Sutherland's interpretation has deepened here but her diminished (Much more diminished than Callas' second NormA) vocal ressources can't keep up with it. BUT: I LOVE her in the "Deh non volerli vittime!" Here she has found a unique tone of pleading that made me weep. Still, this Norma should never have been recorded, it discredits the vocal wonder Joan Sutherland was.
Pavarotti is fine as Pollione but I prefer Picchi on the live Callas-Set from 1952. Caballe's Adalgisa is LOVELY, even better than her Norma. All in all this recording was made too late, it's too expensive and not worth it. If you want to hear Sutherland's better Norma, listen to her live-rec from the MET. For my Nr. Norma buy the live performance from 1952 featuring Callas, Stignani, Picchi and SUTHERLAND (As Clothilde).

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5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Norma!, Feb 2 2003

By	Scott Jelsey "tscott2" (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

I'm not always Sutherland's greatest fan, but do really enjoy her in certain roles - Esclarmonde, Ophelia, the 3 Hoffman heroines, etc. Her first Norma recording is on the dull side to me, plus the sound is cloudy. This later recording finds her voice still about 90% there - the lower register does sound a little wooley at times, though. Dramatically this 1984 recording is vastly superior, both in Sutherland's interpretation and Bonynge's conducting. Caballe is in gorgeous late-prime vocal estate and Pavarotti sounds fine to me - this is not really a tenor opera. Ramey is luxury casting as Oroveso and the digital recording is awesome. Recommended.

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3.0 out of 5 stars NOT WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN, Dec 21 2002

By	Armindo (Greece) - See all my reviews

Of course the reason is the recording date of this Norma. The result would have been wonderful in the early '70s when Sutherland, Caballe and Pavarotti were in excellent vocal condition. One way or another they did record this Norma in the '80s and the result is satisfying to say the least.

Sure, Sutherland does not sing as she did for her first Norma but she still has her moments and I sometimes find her even more involved and articulate here. Caballe wisely chose to sing the role of Adalgisa. In her solo scene she proves what a great artist she is. I've NEVER heard Adalgisa's prayer performed so movingly! The phrasing, the legato...perfect! I didn't, however, equally enjoy the rest of her performance. The high powerful notes sound strained but she knows it and sings them- wherever possible- pianissimo. Luciano too, has lost most of his beautiful voice but still has the high notes and long breath to impress us. As this role is usually sung by dramatic tenors, his more lyrical approach is interesting even if I still prefer Corelli and Domingo. Ramey is heard here in his prime and gives us an imposing Oroveso. No surprises from maestro Bonynge.

This should not be one of your first studio Normas especially when Caballe's Norma with an all-around superb cast and conductor is available (Caballe/ Cossotto/ Domingo/ Raimondi - Cillario). Sutherland's first perfectly sung Norma, despite its uneven cast is also a great choice. Callas' studio recordings are problematic so better go for her live performances.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great recording with Sutherland, Caballe, and Pavarotti!!!!!
I am a huge fan of all of the 3 principals and saw them many times at the San Francisco Opera in the 70's and 80's. Read more

Published on Jul 28 2001 by BRETT H DAVIS

2.0 out of 5 stars La Stupenda should have retired in 1985
She was very great indeed when she had her voice. But at sixty something she had no business singing Norma. Read more

Published on Aug 14 2000

2.0 out of 5 stars A sad recording
Joan Sutherland was about 60 at the time of this recording. What you hear is a barely recognizable Sutherland sound. Read more

Published on Sep 19 1999

2.0 out of 5 stars Lovely, but not Sutherland's best
Sorry, Sutherland is way off here. I'm sure I'll get a lot of insults for telling it as it is, but she is just awful here. Read more

Published on Aug 27 1999