Norma - Vincenzo Bellini
Information about the opera Norma by Vincenzo Bellini, and the best recordings available on CD or DVD, or for download.
The most powerful of Bellini's operas. The title role is considered the most difficult in the soprano repertoire.
Synopsis
The opera is about the secret love of a Druid priestess for a Roman general.
Recommended recordings on CD
Haider/Gruberova/Garanca (Nightingale Classics NC 040245-2)
Edita Gruberova is more restrained than Maria Callas in her classic 1954 recording, but this a beautiful performance.
Vocal Ensemble Rastatt, Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Friedrich Haider.
Cast: Edita Gruberova (Norma), Elina Garanca (Adalgisa), Aquiles Machado (Pollione), Alastair Miles (Oroveso).
Nightingale Classics NC 040245-2
Serafin/Callas/Stignani (Naxos Historical 8.110325-27)
Originally issued on LP by EMI, this performance is superb in every respect and is one of the highlights of Callas's career.
Milan La Scala Chorus, Milan La Scala Orchestra, conducted by Tullio Serafin, 1954.
Cast: Maria Callas (Norma), Ebe Stignani (Adalgisa), Mario Filippeschi (Pollione), Nicola Rossi-Lemeni (Oroveso).
Naxos Historical 8.110325-27 (mono)
Serafin/Callas/Ludwig (EMI Classics 7243 CMS566428-2)
This is the second of the studio recordings Callas made as Norma, and has the advantage of stereo.
Milan La Scala Orchestra, Milan La Scala Chorus, conducted by Tullio Serafin, 1960.
Cast: Maria Callas (Norma), Christa Ludwig (Adalgisa), Franco Corelli (Pollione), Nicola Zaccaria (Oroveso).
EMI Classics 7243 CMS566428-2
Gui/Callas/Stignani (EMI Classics 7243 562668-2)
The first issue of this superb live recording, with excellent sound and lively performances. Not to be missed.
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Chorus, Royal Opera House Covent Garden Orchestra, conducted by Vittorio Gui, 18/11/1952.
Cast: Maria Callas (Norma), Ebe Stignani (Adalgisa), Mirto Picchi (Pollione), Giacomo Vaghi (Oroveso).
EMI Classics 7243 562668-2
Recommended recordings on DVD
Patané/Caballé/Vickers (Hardy Classic Video HCD4003)
This is the famous live outdoor performance filmed in the Théâtre Antique Orange in Provence in 1974 which was nearly cancelled due to high winds, but these only add to the atmosphere. A classic production with a stunning performance from Caballé.
Turin Regional Theatre Chorus, Turin Regional Theatre Orchestra, conducted by Giuseppe Patané, 1974.
Cast: Montserrat Caballé (Norma), Jon Vickers (Adalgisa), Joséphine Veasey (Pollione), Agostino Ferrin (Oroveso).
Hardy Classic Video HCD4003 (mono)
Haider/Gruberova/Ganassi (Deutsche Grammophon 073 4219GH2)
Gruberová proves that she is the greatest Norma of today, in this superb production set in the aftermath of a modern war.
Bavarian State Opera Chorus, Bavarian State Opera Orchestra, conducted by Friedrich Haider, 2006.
Cast: Edita Gruberova (Norma), Sonia Ganassi (Adalgisa), Zoran Todorovich (Pollione), Roberto Scandiuzzi (Oroveso).
Deutsche Grammophon 073 4219GH2