• 1694
• Articles
• 23 Set 2014

One popular view of Vincenzo Bellini’s Norma is that the title role is so outrageously difficult to sing—and the work itself so little worth doing if you haven’t a soprano up to the mark—that the opera has only survived, in the years since its première in 1831, as a vehicle for a few particularly endowed […]

• 1275
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• 23 Set 2014

Maria Callas and Carlos Guichandut – “Nemici senza cor!” Duet Medea-Giasone – “Medea” Italian version of “Médée” (1797) – Luigi Cherubini. LIVE at Maggio Musicale Fiorentino – 1953. Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino M.° Vittorio Gui Conductor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPiyX5ssPb4

• 3181
• Articles
• 23 Set 2014

“There is a maiden, nurtured in the halls of Aeetes, whom the goddess Hecate taught to handle magic herbs with exceeding skill …” (Argus to the Argonauts. Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 3.528). “… nothing shall come between our love till the doom of death fold us round.” (Jason to Medea. Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 3.1128). Jason: O […]

• 1206
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• 23 Set 2014

Dame Joan Sutherland – “Sediziose voci! … Casta Diva … Ah! Bello, a me ritorna” – “Norma” (1831) – Vincenzo Bellini. Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden M.° Francesco Molinari Pradelli Conductor. Recorded in 1960. The voice of Dame Joan Sutherland was, in the Sixties, technically perfect. Her “Casta Diva” is […]

• 1019
• Articles
• 23 Set 2014

Montserrat Caballé – “Casta Diva … Fine al rito … Ah! Bello, a me ritorna”” – “Norma” (1831) – Vincenzo Bellini. LIVE at Thèatre Antique d’Orange. July 20th, 1974 – Provence – F. Orchestra e Coro del Teatro Regio di Torino – I. M.° Giuseppe Patané Conductor. Caballé sang “Norma” with a lyrical voice, clear […]

• 1151
• Articles
• 23 Set 2014

Maria Callas – “Casta Diva” – “Norma” – Vincenzo Bellini. LIVE broadcasting – Buenos Aires – 1949. A 25 years old Maria Callas with an astounding, dark, oily voice, solid as rock, almost dramatic, but light and clear in the passages of “canto fiorito”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM9t6azei-E

• 1217
• Articles
• 23 Set 2014

It is a brave man who dares criticise Maria Callas these days. In the 20 years since her lonely death in Paris at the age of 54 the American-born Greek soprano has been deified transformed almost beyond recognition from the controversial artist whose appearances were as eagerly awaited by some as they were detested by […]

• 1336
• Articles
• 23 Set 2014

Maria Callas – “E che? Io son Medea, e li lascio in vita? … Tu Glauce piangi sol, spietato!…Atre furie” Finale dell’opera – “Medea” Italian version of “Médée” (1797) – Luigi Cherubini. With Carlos Guichandut as Giasone and Fedora Barbieri as Neris. LIVE at Maggio Musicale Fiorentino July 05 1953 – Firenze – I. Orchestra […]

• 1407
• Articles
• 23 Set 2014

As an internationally renowned opera singer and recitalist, Shirley Verrett has achieved recognition as one of the world’s great artist. Her orchestral appearances, films, concerts, and recordings have garnered her accolades from The New York Times, Opera Magazine, Courier Della Sera, Opernwelt, Chicago Times, Musical America, Newsweek, and The Washington Post, among other international news […]

• 1215
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• 23 Set 2014

Shirley Verrett – “Vous voyez de vos fils la mère infortunée” Aria of Médée I Act – Declamato and Aria “Du trouble affreux” III Act – “Médée” (1797) – Luigi Cherubini. LIVE in Firenze – 1986. Orchestra e Coro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino M.° Bruno Bartoletti Conductor.