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The Compact Opera Collection - Bellini: Norma / Bonynge


Release Date: 08/20/2002 
Label:  Decca   Catalog #: 470413   Spars Code: ADD 
Composer:  Vincenzo Bellini
Performer:  Dame Joan Sutherland,  Marilyn Horne,  John Alexander,  Richard Cross,   ... 
Conductor:  Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra,  London Symphony Chorus
Number of Discs: 3 
Recorded in: Stereo 
Length: 2 Hours 42 Mins. 

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Notes and Editorial Reviews

I believe this is the only note-complete performance of this opera, and furthermore, the only one that is sung in all of the original keys (in almost every other recording "Casta diva" and the duets are transposed down). It is a spectacular example of bel canto. Recorded in 1964, Joan Sutherland was at her peak, exhibiting fearless, beautiful singing, thoroughly accurate in fiorature and breath control, and, for Sutherland, dramatically telling. Her usually dreadful diction is somewhat better than elsewhere, and she presents Norma's unhappiness and acceptance of her fate honestly. She's not as good when she must express anger, but she tries very hard, and in the face of such gorgeous singing, one barely minds. Of course she never Read more comes near Callas in psychological depth, but why bother bringing that up?

Marilyn Horne is a spectacular Adalgisa, her tone and technique stunning, her word painting sincere and telling, and her legendary blending with Sutherland nowhere more remarkable. John Alexander was a fine tenor and he presents a strong Pollione, but he never sounds Italian and the music suffers. Richard Cross is too light for Oroveso's pronouncements, but Yvonne Minton is a fine Clotilde. Richard Bonynge's leadership at this stage of his career consisted of listening to and following his wife; he gets little tension from the score but it's played well. Fans of Sutherland and Horne must own this--perhaps everyone should, just to hear how the music is supposed to sound--but opera lovers will need a Callas performance first and foremost.

--Robert Levine, ClassicsToday.com
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Works on This Recording

1. Norma by Vincenzo Bellini
Performer:  Dame Joan Sutherland (Soprano), Marilyn Horne (Mezzo Soprano), John Alexander (Tenor),
Richard Cross (Bass), Yvonne Minton (Mezzo Soprano), Joseph Ward (Baritone)
Conductor:  Richard Bonynge
Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra,  London Symphony Chorus
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1831; Italy 
 Date of Recording: 07/1964 
Venue:  Walthamstow Assembly Hall, England 
Length: 162 Minutes 10 Secs. 
Language: Italian 

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review:  ( 1 Customer Review )
 One of two February 18, 2013 By J S E T. (West Grove, PA) See All My Reviews "Plan to buy two recordings of Norma. One with Callas and one with Sutherland. They were the reigning queens of Bel Canto of their day and the ones best equipped to present Norma in all her glory. In both cases get the first recordings of each. The ladies are in fresher voice and in full command of the part technically. One can quibble over tenors or sopranos on each of the various recordings but these two "performances" come across musically and stylistically very well indeed. As indicated in the write up to this recording, it is the most note complete of all of them, which would be meaningless except that the singing is so wonderful all around." Report Abuse
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