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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    3. Opera/Operetta    4. Performing Arts - Opera   

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Reviews (23)

Wie schrecklich!!!
I agree with most reviewers that the performance is absolutely outstanding. M. Caballe/Vickers command a performance that will be tough to match. Not only the singing but acting remains to be commended.So why three stars?
Excelente Archivo Musical.
Realmente la Caballe esta en su mejor momento. Estoy muy emocionado de tener este interesant archivo.

O What A Night: Caballe And Vickers In Norma
This DVD of Bellini's masterpiece should indeed be in every operaphiles' collection. Filmed on a very windy evening on July 20, 1974 at the Theater Antique in Orange, France, it stars Catalan/Spanish diva Montserrat Caballe who herself believed this single performance to be her greatest operatic achievement. She is in phenomenal voice - a combination of the old Maria Callas theatrical fire and queenly majesty and Caballe's most beautifully bel canto capabilities. Though she is past her prime, you wouldn't know it from this performance. She IS NORMA, period. From the first act in which she appears from the darkness, the wind blowing her gauzy blue gown, she commands the stage. Her "Casta Diva" has never sounded greater. Her coloratura in "A Bello A Mi Ritorno" is still amazing. The Theater Antique is a vast amphitheater that looks like a cross between an old Greek amphitheater and Petra, as there are statues and classical style structures in the backdrop. The windy evening (pure coincidence) is actually suited to the dramatic scenes, for example when Norma confronts Pellione and Adalgisa about their affair and when she strikes the gong to fight against the Romans. Her final act costume- a dark gown, golden tiara, is EXACTLY how I picture Norma. Caballe was fortunate enough to sing opposite the Canadian heldentenor Jon Vickers that night. Vickers specialized in Wagner (Tristan, Siegfried, Parsifal) and he had a huge voice which could rock the rafters, but he was also just as talented singing Italian roles like Don Jose in Carmen and most notably as Verdi's Otello. Here he is in excellent shape, though, he too was older. He had sung Tristan opposite Birgit Nilsson in this exact same location only years earlier. He is the perfectly believable Roman soldier Pellione- dressed in Roman Centurion garb, looking strong and noble. He never misses a note and sings with equal bravura as his diva co-star. The Adalgisa of Josephine Veasey has been criticized (apparently she was the weak one that night) but I have analyzed her singing, even if not purely on vocal technique and I really enjoy it. She is quite pretty (reminds me of Joan Sutherland) and sings with the right degree of youth and dramatic thrust. Her mezzo soprano voice is not that powerful but she sounds just beautiful next to Caballe in the two outstanding duets- "O Rimembrenza" and "Mira o Norma". Bass-baritone Agostino Ferrino is in excellent vocal shape and looks like a very God-like Oroveso, Norma's High Priest father. His performance moved me as well. So all in all, this is probably the best Norma and second to none. It's really unfortunate that Maria Callas did not ORDER her directors to film her performances, that way the rest of us who never saw her on stage could experience the theatrical magic she was supposed to possess. I am quite convinced a filmed performance of her Norma would have surpassed this Norma. Caballe sang Norma for the Victor Opera Series opposite Placido Domingo Fiorenza Cossotto and Ruggero Raimondi and that recording is excellent. The Normas of Jane Eaglen have also thrilled me and the Norma of Shirley Verrett. Fans of Caballe will eat this up. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    3. Opera/Operetta    4. Performing Arts - Opera   

Features

• Classical
• NTSC

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Vocals    3. Opera/Operetta Collections   

Features

• Classical
• Color
• NTSC

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    3. Opera/Operetta    4. Performing Arts - Opera   

Features

• Black & White
• Classical
• NTSC

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    3. Opera/Operetta    4. Performing Arts - Opera   

Features

• Classical
• NTSC

Reviews (2)

only of academic & historical value
Even though the story is still fascinating, the 1931 verison of the Opera is NOT brought well to the screen. Compared with other movies from the time, some of the characters seem very flat, especially Mr. Peachum's wife. Even Mack the Knife is not the character, Brecht intended. He and the great composer K.Weill were right to leave the production before it was completed. MacHeath takes Center Stage
If you already know the story line of Brecht's "Threepenny Opera" this 1931 B&W film version will catch you off-guard.German director Pabst has rearranged the scenes and added new material to the story of Mac and Polly.Many of Kurt Weill's songs are not included in the movie. Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    3. Opera/Operetta    4. Performing Arts - Opera