The century-Norma

After Amazon has assigned this recording again various reviews that have nothing to do with the actual product, now even a criticism to the recording offered here, a studio recording from 1954 in mono by Tullio Serafin with Maria Callas and Ebe Stignani in the lead roles ,

Maria Callas has many of her roles to this day its distinctive stamp on, has become and remained the benchmark. This is in addition to the Traviata and Lucia di Lammermoor especially for Norma, a role that she accompanied since 1948, shortly after her debut in Italy until the end of their career in 1965 and her voice came against more than any other:

Here she could, which was initially occurred mainly in dramatic roles as Brünnhilde and Isolde because of their great voice, even bring their virtuosity to bear. Their first studio recording of Norma (in mono), it shows still vocally in top form, as opposed to their stereo recording from 1960. Callas' heroine is a surprisingly modern, strong and yet vulnerable woman. The breakneck coloratura of the game are at her pure expression.

The Adalgisa at her side is Ebe Stignani that was already over 50 years old, what you do not listen to her, and nothing stays the virtuosic demands of this second major role guilty. However, their timbre does not fit in the studio as well as Callas in London's live recording of 1952nd

Nicola Rossi-Lemeni had its use already earned as Oroveso that he had once taught Callas' debut in Italy, but sings the High Priest also very convincing. The only real weak point of the occupation is the Pollione Mario Filipeschi who larmoyant squeezes through the game - as would be the Pollione the London performances, Mirto Piccho been the much better choice. Since the role but compared to Norma and Adalgisa is relatively small, I can live with Filipeschi.

Conductor recording was - one might almost say naturally - Tullio Serafin, the mentor of Callas and one of the great Italian opera conductors of the first half of the 20th century .. He wears his singers on hands, without forgetting the dynamics of action. The mono-technique - a bit dry, but with tolerable noise - is listenable.

The view expressed here output the recording is a New mix of original tapes, the more heat is again recording than previous CD issues, but again more noise. The result convinced me less than at other pictures in the new edition.