Search - Vincenzo Bellini, Vittorio Gui, Royal Opera House Covent Garden Chorus and Orchestra :: Bellini: Norma (complete opera live 1952) with Maria Callas, Mirto Picchi, Vittorio Gui, Orchestra & Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

THE MOST VOCALLY BEAUTIFUL OF ANY CALLAS NORMA

11/12/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's nice that EMI has given this 1952 performance a legitimate presentation. At the time of this live performance,
Callas was not yet thirty, vocally spectacular, and on the verge of the most spectacular operatic career of the century. The Callas heard here is the heavy-set woman of the early 1950's, with a full dramatic soprano capable of negotiating the most intricate coloratura. Her Norma at this point had yet to acquire the subtle nuances of later (and less vocally reliable) years, but there is no question of the complete security of her voice. She is partnered here by the veteran mezzo Ebe Stignani, who to my ears sounds aged and matronly for the youthful role of Adalgiza (how she managed to sound so much better three years later in the RAI performance, also with Callas, is something I will always wonder about). The tenor is adequate - certainly not in the Del Monaco-Corelli class. The sound, surprisingly enough, is pretty listenable. Make no mistake, I am giving this recording five stars for Callas, and for many, that will be more than enough reason to purchase, listen, and to value this recording."

I'd like to add my two cents

01/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think this is a great live-recording, esp. the duet "Mira o Norma" and the final scene are very beautiful. I like it more than Callas'studio-Normas... I'd recommend it!"

How can it get more beautiful?

Elliana | 01/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've never heard anything more beautiful than the unisono sound of Callas and Stignani... How come Stignani isn't more famous? She's WONDERFUL! Two thumbs up!!!"