Bellini - Norma / Sutherland · Horne · J. Alexander · R. Cross · LSO · Bonynge

Vincenzo Bellini (Artist), Richard Bonynge (Artist), Joan Sutherland (Artist), Marilyn Horne (Artist), London Symphony Orchestra (Artist), John Alexander (Artist), Richard Cross (Artist), Yvonne Minton (Artist), Joseph Ward (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 23, 1989)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B0000041VS
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #138,222 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #16 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Horne, Marilyn
  • #19 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Sutherland, Joan
  • #51 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Featured Performers, A-Z > Q to T

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Norma: Sinfonia

2. Norma: Act One - Scene 1: Introduzione - Ite sul colle, o Druidi (Oroveso)

3. Norma: Act One - Scene 1: Svanir le voci! (Pollione)

4. Norma: Act One - Scene 1: Meco all'altar di Venere (Pollione)

5. Norma: Act One - Scene 1: Me protegge, me difende (Pollione)

6. Norma: Act One - Scene 1: Norma viene (Coro)

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Norma: Act 1- Scene 2: Vanne, e li cela entrambi (Norma)

2. Norma: Act 1- Scene 2: Adalgisa! (Norma)

3. Norma: Act 1- Scene 2: Oh! rimembranza! (Norma)

4. Norma: Act 1- Scene 2: Ah! si, fa core, abbracciami (Norma)

5. Norma: Act 1- Scene 2: Ma di', l'amato quale fra noi si noma? (Norma)

6. Norma: Act 1- Scene 2: Oh non tremare (Norma)

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Norma: Act Two - Scene 1: Scena Introduzione

2. Norma: Act Two - Scene 1: Dormono entrambi (Norma)

3. Norma: Act Two - Scene 1: Mi chiami, o Norma! (Adalgisa)

4. Norma: Act Two - Scene 1: Deh! con te, con te li prendi (Norma)

5. Norma: Act Two - Scene 1: Mira, o Norma (Adalgisa)

6. Norma: Act Two - Scene 1: Si, fino all'ore estreme (Norma, Adalgisa)

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

cd very good

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars La Stupenda is stupendous, October 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bellini - Norma / Sutherland · Horne · J. Alexander · R. Cross · LSO · Bonynge (Audio CD)

This was actually the first recording of Norman I ever owned ( refering to the Norma with Sutherland, Horne, Cross, and Alexander, not confusing it with the rerecording made with Pavarotti and Caballe ). I have worn out at least two copies of it. I also own three versions by Maria Callas ( one that includes Joan Sutherland as Clothilda ). I have also seen both artists perform this opera. Comparisons are really silly, as they approached the opera from different vantage points. However, like one hears in this recording, Sutherland always sang it beautifully and accurately. Callas is not represented truly on record, as in performance she was not consistant, and the first act ( in her recordings act one is divided into two acts ) she usually was not good at all, rather terrible, and the voice only came into its own later in the evening. However, in this recording, one is instructed in the art of bel canto interpretation. Sutherland adds embellishments to her arias ( some actually used by the creator of the role -- Pasta ), as was the custom at the time of its writing. She blends well with Horne, and together they create a wonderful atmosphere ( even if in the world premiere of the opera Pasta was more a mezzo and Grizi a soprano ). The only sad thing to me is the cutting of all the actually endings of many of the greatest duets and ensembles so high notes could be added. Bellini wrote some interesting music, that is never recorded, as postludes to these pieces. Still this recording is wonderful, and those who are not familiar with Norma will find this version easy to take, and enjoyable to listen to.

61 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recording of the century???, August 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bellini - Norma / Sutherland · Horne · J. Alexander · R. Cross · LSO · Bonynge (Audio CD)

Is this the recording of the century? Certainly a great accomplishment as far as I'm concern. Perhaps not the drama of La Divina Maria Callas, but the epitemy of Bel Canto. This performance is what celebrates the beauty of the human voice. And not just Sutherland, but Marilyn Horne. I'm totally speechless. But also look for Maria Callas's great effort!

79 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joan Sutheland, the supreme singer, the supreme artist, September 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bellini - Norma / Sutherland · Horne · J. Alexander · R. Cross · LSO · Bonynge (Audio CD)

Joan Sutherland is beyond praise in this definitive recording of Norma. Her singing makes all the other Normas obsolete ( Callas, Caballe, Ponselle ). Only Sutherland sings the arias and duets in their original keys. Callas and Ponselle say that Norma is their most difficult role, yet they sing everything one FULL note lower than what was originally written. That is ridiculous! Imagine the Immolation Scene from Gotterdamerung transposed one note down. Or how about transposing Nessum Dorma from Turandot one note down. The result, of course is that it loses most of its excitement. Now imagine all of Norma's arias and duet one note up, the way it's supposed to be sung...the way Sutherland sings it here and during her prime on actual stage performances ( note: even Sutherland transposed Norma's music down in her later years, ie the late 1970's and 1980's ). Norma in the original keys is beyond the reach of Caballe and certainly Callas, but not for Sutherland and Horne, they had a field day with the higher keys! Listen to this Norma and you'll be amazed at Sutherland and Horne's showmanship and artistry.