Bellini - Norma / Sutherland, Tourangeau, Bonynge

Vincenzo Bellini (Composer), Richard Bonynge (Conductor), San Francisco Opera (Orchestra), Joan Sutherland (Performer), Huguette Tourangeau (Performer), Clifford Grant (Performer), John Alexander (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Joan Sutherland, Huguette Tourangeau, Clifford Grant, John Alexander
• Orchestra: San Francisco Opera
• Conductor: Richard Bonynge
• Composer: Vincenzo Bellini
• Audio CD (June 6, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Gala
• ASIN: B000001XNU
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #347,532 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #60 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Sutherland, Joan

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Norma, opera: Sinfonia (Overture)

2. Norma, opera: Scena: Ite Sul Colle

3. Norma, opera: Recit: Svanir Le Voci

4. Norma, opera: Cavatina: Meco All'altar

5. Norma, opera: Recit: Odi! Suoi Riti A Compiere

6. Norma, opera: Cabaletta: Me Protegge, Me Difende Un'

7. Norma, opera: Coro: Norma Viene

8. Norma, opera: Recit: Sediziose Voci

9. Norma, opera: Cavatina: Casta Diva

10. Norma, opera: Recit: Fine Al Rito

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Norma, opera: Finale: Ma Di L'amato Giovane?

2. Norma, opera: Oh Non Tremare

3. Norma, opera: Trio: Oh Di Qual Sei Vittima

4. Norma, opera: Perfido!...IOr Basti!

5. Norma, opera: Introduzione (Introduction)

6. Norma, opera: Recit: Dormono Entrambi

7. Norma, opera: Recit: Mi Chiami, O Norma

8. Norma, opera: Duetto: Deh! Con Te

9. Norma, opera: Duetto: Mira, O Norma

10. Norma, opera: Coro: Non Parti?

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SUTHERLAND'S BEST "NORMA", June 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bellini - Norma / Sutherland, Tourangeau, Bonynge (Audio CD)

This live performance "Norma" originates from the 1972 San Francisco opera season. The sound is perfectly acceptable and price is incredibly reasonable. In 1972 Sutherland's voice was in its most brilliant estate, and she could do anything she wanted with it, which is a whole lot. She is more sensitive and dramatically keen here than she was on her 1964 studio recording, and in infinitely better vocal condition than she was to be in 1984 when she did her second studio recording. She sings "Casta Diva" here in the original key of G, which enables her to climax the cavatina on the high C. She accomplishes this brilliantly. Moreover, she has an extremely accomplished Adalgisa in Huguette Tourangeau, whose voice contrasts beautfully with Sutherlands's. John Alexander is an excellent Pollione. It is Richard Bonynge whose work I appreciate here as well. I find his conducting superior to either of his studio recordings, and I find his stress of the harp in the soft section of the Overture and moon music after the call to battle to be close to perfection as is possible to achieve in this music. A very fine "Norma", with a Sutherland in prime condition. What could be better?

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars La Stupenda using her chest tone, November 24, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Bellini - Norma / Sutherland, Tourangeau, Bonynge (Audio CD)

Yes, Joan Sutherland actually used some of her chest tone here. But the most exciting thing about this superset is Sutherland's coloratura and lucious voice. She is in total command here. The arias are sung with lots of emotions - an effect that she did not use in either of her studio recordings. My only complain is that the rest of the cast does not even approach her vocalism levels. But then, who else, but Horne and Pavorotti can approach these astronomical heights of glory?

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sutherland...aggressive??? You better believe it..., March 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Bellini - Norma / Sutherland, Tourangeau, Bonynge (Audio CD)

Sutherland is very aggressive in this most brilliant of all her Norma recording. She almost overacts here, which is refreshing for the diva. And her rich, lucious sound is at it's very peak. Only Callas can approach her artistry here. But then, Callas in all her greatest did not have the astounding instrument that was Dame Joans. The Adagisa is also very good. But not as good as Horne. If you want to hear a Norma that puts all others to shame, I suggest you buy this one.