Bellini - Norma / Sutherland · Caballé · Pavarotti · Ramey · WNO · Bonynge

Vincenzo Bellini (Artist), Richard Bonynge (Artist), Joan Sutherland (Artist), Montserrat Caballé (Artist), Orchestra and Chorus of the Welsh National Opera (Artist), Luciano Pavarotti (Artist), Samuel Ramey (Artist), Diana Montague (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B0000041QF
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,952 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #33 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Sutherland, Joan
  • #36 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Caballe, Montserrat
  • #70 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Featured Performers, A-Z > Q to T

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Norma, opera: Sinfonia

2. Norma, opera: Act One: introduzione

3. Norma, opera: Act One: Svanir Le Voci!

4. Norma, opera: Act One: Meco All'altar Di Venere

5. Norma, opera: Act One: Me Protegge, Me Difende

6. Norma, opera: Act One: Norma Viene

See all 10 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Norma, opera: Act One - Scene One: Sgombra Č La Sacra Selva, Compiuto Il Rito

2. Norma, opera: Act One - Scene One: Deh! Proteggimi, O Dio!

3. Norma, opera: Act One - Scene One: Eccola! Va, Mi Lascia, Ragion Non Odo

4. Norma, opera: Act One - Scene One: Va, Crudele, Al Dio Spetato

5. Norma, opera: Act One - Scene Two: Vanne, E Li Cela Entrambi

6. Norma, opera: Act One - Scene Two: Adalgisa!

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Norma, opera: Act Two - Scene One: Scena - Introduzione

2. Norma, opera: Act Two - Scene One: Dormono Entrambi

3. Norma, opera: Act Two - Scene One: Mi Chiami, O Norma!

4. Norma, opera: Act Two - Scene One: Deh! Con Te, Con Te Li Prendi

5. Norma, opera: Act Two - Scene One: Mira, O Norma

6. Norma, opera: Act Two - Scene One: Si, Fino All'ore Estreme

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars SUTHERLAND A MORE AUTHORATIVE NORMA THAN BEFORE, June 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bellini - Norma / Sutherland · Caballé · Pavarotti · Ramey · WNO · Bonynge (Audio CD)

I have always been a great admirer of Joan Sutherland. To hear her in operas like "Lucia", "Sonnambula", "Puritani, "Semiramide" or even "Maria Stuarda" was to experience the "real thing". No doubt about it. As a sheer singing machine, Sutherland in her prime had no rivals ---- certainly not even Callas, whose genius was rooted in a different sphere entirely. But Norma requires something more than a voice, no matter how great that particular voice and technique may be. I always felt that Sutherland's vocal personality was not sufficient for Norma. who must project powerful emotions. She is, after all, a feared presence in the story. Of course one can say that in opera it's the singing that matters and that Norma must have voice, voice, and more voice. True, but there must be a vocal personality to suit the character. I found this to be totally missing on Sutherland's 1964 recording, and still feel that the violent emotions or Norma never really came naturally to her, as it certainly did to Callas. Nevertheless, Sutherland had come a long way in the projection of a text in the intervening years between the 1964 recording and the present one. Sutherland actually projects great power and authority here, and for me, her Norma becomes at least plausible from a dramatic standpoint. Her recititives now ring with a strength and power that were completely absent before. The voice is clearly no longer the liquidy and shining instrument it was before, but it remains valid nonetheless. I actually can appreciate the Sutherland more on this recording than I could on the first. And she is to be respected and admired as well. For a soprano to re-record twenty years later the most difficult role in her repertoire, at age 58 yet, and to still make a valid account of it, is to me something very amazing and wonderful. Sutherland has a soprano Adalgisa here, no less than the great Montserrat Caballe, a pretty valid Norma herself. The pairing works well. Caballe's soft grained sound mixing well with Sutherland's more mature and darker sound. The duets between the ladies are certainly rewarding to listen to. Of Pavarotti, what can one say? He sings, period. I like what Bonynge does with the orchestra here better than in 1964 as well. The moves pretty quickly, actually at points creating a taut orchestra atmosphere, all to the good in this opera. Recommendation? If one wants to hear what Sutherland could accomplish vocally with Norma, than I would go for the first version (which also features an awesome Marilyn Horne), also on London. For a more balanced overall production, and a more mature Sutherland, I would consider this one. Still, I would certainly recommend one of the Callas versions. Actually, one should own both Sutherland and Callas, and possibly Caballe's Norma as well.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great recording with Sutherland, Caballe, and Pavarotti!!!!!, July 28, 2001

By 

BRETT H DAVIS (Boynton Beach, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bellini - Norma / Sutherland · Caballé · Pavarotti · Ramey · WNO · Bonynge (Audio CD)

I am a huge fan of all of the 3 principals and saw them many times at the San Francisco Opera in the 70's and 80's. Their TURANDOT studio recording together from 1973 is other worldly...and I am also a big fan of a Nilsson, and Price and all of the greats that I have seen or been lucky to be exposed to over the years. This NORMA was recorded in 1984 and they are all in great voice. Remember Caballe went on to sing ISOLDE in 1989! Only Caballe would use pianissimos in the Act II love duet. I have the LP with Sutherland/Horne NORMA from 1964..(from my teen years) it is the most beautiful NORMA ever recorded. However, I especially love the last act of this opera and the final scene with Sutherland and Pavarotti (the dynamic vocal duo) moves me deeply. Sutherland does not sound tired! The only recording of Sutherland'S that really sounds tired and effortful is the Video VHS of the LES HUGENOTS which I believe was her farewell performance from the stage in Australia. It was painful to watch and I have never finished watching it! I saw the great Maria Callas in her farewell tour with Di Stefano and it was sad. I think people who only enjoy one singer in a particular role are limiting themselves and closed minded. Callas, Caballe, Sills, and even Shirley Verrett (who sang it in SF) are all great interpreters of NORMA. Pavarotti is at the peak of his powers and that is why I bought this recording. Buy it and you will not be disappointed!

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly Moving!, December 2, 1998

By 

Sarah-Jane Leslie ([e-mail]) (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bellini - Norma / Sutherland · Caballé · Pavarotti · Ramey · WNO · Bonynge (Audio CD)

I am a great Sutherland fan, and have many of her recordings. This one stands out. I have never listened to this recording in its entirety without crying - I can say that about no other CD. Sutherland's voice shows some signs of age, yet is still magnificent.

I must disagree with some critics'opinion that she was unable to fully characterize Norma. She portrays the betrayed woman with heart-breaking clarity and understanding. The other performers live up to their reputations. Pavarotti paints Pollione with arrogance and passion - the neceassary combination. The two stars interact most convincingly, both with each other and with Caballe's touching Adalgisa. Bonynge's conducting is similarly excellent.

Sutherland's second Norma recording conveys deep pain and anger. I do not find the characterization lacking at all. Norma is Bellini's greatest opera; this recording is undoubtedly worthy of his music. I strongly recommend it!