Norma [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

Great dvd

This opera is not in the public eye very often. It is a classic and well performed by Joan Sutherland.

Joan Sutherland sings "Norma" in her own wonderful way ..despite a cringe making setting with a passionless production and inexpert camera work. The music is as always wonderful and the orchestra in full sail.

excellent

This performance of Norma starring Joan Sutherland in the title role, was recorded live in the Sydney Opera House in 1978. It is inevitably of its era. The sound and picture quality are adequate but not much more than that. The sound is generally better than the picture quality. The production is very traditional and very dated in appearance, the set is basically mock stone blocks with a background of trees painted on obvious flats. The costumes are quite good although Norma's servant Clotilde looks as though she has strayed out of a production of 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' or 'Falstaff', and the Gaul warriors look as though they have wandered in from a stage production of 'Lord of the Rings'. The orchestra is conducted by Sutherland's husband Richard Bonynge and is generally excellent. Vocally the cast is also very strong. Joan Sutherland does not begin in good voice. Her rendition of Casta Diva is adequate but nothing more. She sings it as if she is trying to underplay its significance, perhaps trying to point up the fact that the opera is far more than just this famous aria. Or maybe she is just not in good voice at the start. This situation fortunately doesn't last long and the great voice soon appears. She is particularly fine in the duets with Margreta Elkins as Adalgisa. Elkins is an excellent Adalgisa and her voice blends wonderfully well with Sutherland's in the many duets they sing. The men are also excellent. Playing Pollione, Ronald Stevens is a true heldentenor, strong and accurate, if a little rough on occasions. It is also good to have the firm bass voice and stage presence of Clifford Grant as Oroveso, the Chief Druid and Norma's father. In spite of the limitations, largely due to the age of the recording, it is still good to have this record of one of Sutherland's great roles. It is also an enjoyable, if relatively uninspiring, traditional production of this great opera. There are optional subtitles in English, German French and Spanish. The picture is in 4 : 3 format and the sound is just PCM stereo. Please note that the first review listed here has been incorrectly attached to this DVD. This DVD as shown in the DVD cover picture and as described in the written listing is the SUTHERLAND performance from Sydney Opera House. It is NOT the June Anderson performance which is listed separately on Amazon UK.

No one quite like Sutherland.

Just what I wanted

Era esattamente quello che cercavo! :-) La descrizione era conforme a quello che realmente mi è arrivato a casa. Molto soddisfatto.

Le dvd est bien arrivé en bon état et à la date prévue. J'ai apprécié écouter cet opéra sublime de Bellini interprété par des chanteurs et des acteurs exceptionnels.

It';s the best of Sutherland. It is the ultimate challenge for the best of the best. Bravo! Enough said. More words?

It was well done, but Joan was too old for the part. Her singing was outstanding

Norma is my favourite opera together with lucia di lammermoor with Dame Joan Sutherland in the title roles and this dvd is great, i'm totally happy with it