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• 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 and almost “angelic”, with some straining in the dramatic passages and some awkwardness in agility. On the other hand, the soprano excelled in moments of lying and “fiorito” character.
Many people believe the Norma of Maria Callas is near to the Norma of the first performer of the role, the famous soprano ex-contralto, ex-mezzosoprano Giuditta Negri Pasta.
Caballé would be closer to the style of the soprano Giulia Grisi, known for lyrical performances of the Bellinian role.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9sB-wdUYKs