Product Details

• Actors: Anna Steiger, Hasmik Papian, Giorgio Giuseppini, Hugh Smith, Irini Tsirakidis
• Directors: Misjel Vermeiren
• Format: Classical, Color, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: Italian (Stereo), Italian (Unknown)
• Subtitles: English, French, German
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: BBC / Opus Arte
• DVD Release Date: September 30, 2008
• Run Time: 188 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001BSH19S
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #52,410 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars not what I had expected but in the end - very good!, November 8, 2008

By	John Chandler (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was unprepared for the presentation and was initially irritated by the opening which brings ancient Rome backstage of a modern opera house. It all looked as if I was in for another of these modern and all too often pretentious productions. (I am generally a traditionalist and prefer to see what the composer would have had in mind). I had not done any home work and had not grasped what the producer was up to. The playing and singing is however exceptional and as the disc progressed I forgot my initial dislike and came to enjoy it more and more. This is an excellent disc, but go to the extras BEFORE you watch the opera. You will then avoid my mistake and be able to follow the production so much better. This is not the traditional Norma but neither is it the dreaded 'dinner suits on an empty stage'. The blend is quite skillful and once one accepts the revised plot the disc can be fully enjoyed. My initial reaction was to send it back, I will now keep it and expect to watch it many times. Get it, it is visually and sonically outstanding.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A terrible concept, yet again!, August 31, 2008

By	P. Byrne - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is that ridiculous Norma dvd from a couple of years ago, yet again. Changing the package, and the technology is not going to make it any better. Another "concept" on a masterpiece. This time we are backstage with the singers, making entrances and exits. None of it makes any sense. Norma makes her first entrance done up like Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard. What has that to do with anyting in the libretto? From there it is downhill. If the singing were great, maybe, but it isn't. Why bother. Get the Caballe Normas from Orange or Barcelona.Magnificent. When I first ordered this mess I played it several times to see if it had some redeeming factors. I sold it online for $10.00.

Patrick Byrne

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars timeless charm of Vincenzo Bellini's Norma, December 2, 2008

By	Mark Skinner (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Yet another marvelously produced Blu-ray release by Opus Arte allows us to experience the timeless charm of Vincenzo Bellini's Norma. This is indeed an excellent disc that surely leaves little for one to be dissatisfied with. once again this is a very strong effort by the European distribs that will surely delight opera aficionados. Detail is very convincing, contrast is impeccable, and color reproduction is marvelous. The simple but very stylish decors have been captured by the camera very well and the 1080i transfer more or less allows one to fully appreciate the strength of this quite contemporary production.I opted for the PCM 5.0 track and I was certainly pleased with the manner in which the singers and the orchestra were mixed. There is a delicate balance here which is quite welcoming given the fact that this is indeed a live recording. I personally have grown incredibly appreciative of the classic catalog of works Opus Arte have compiled on Blu-ray and strongly recommend that you seek them.