Callas,Maria Bellini: Norma (London 18/11/1952) CD

Maria Callas TITLE: Bellini: Norma (London, 18/11/1952)(2CD) Bellini'sNormais an epic and multi-faceted role, often considered the ultimate vocal challenge for an operatic soprano. Callas sang it on stage 92 times, more often than any other heroine, and her achievement casts a long shadow: more than 50 years after her last performance in the role (Paris, 1965) she remains the point of reference for any soprano who aspires to it. It was in 1952, as Norma, that she made her debut at London's Royal Opera House, the theatre that witnessed her final operatic appearance 13 years later. In the famous duets that Norma shares with her fellow druid priestess, Adalgisa, Callas is partnered by another superlative singer, Ebe Stignani, the greatest Italian mezzo-soprano of her era. Taking the small role of Norma's servant Clotilde is a singer who in 1952 was destined for great things, and for the role of Norma... (Joan Sutherland)

1. Norma: Sinfonia to Act 1 (Live) 2. Norma, Act 1: "Ite Sul Colle... Dell'aura Tua Profetica" (Oroveso, Chorus) [Live] 3. Norma, Act 1: "Svanir Le Voci!" (Pollione, Flavio) [Live] 4. Norma, Act 1: "Meco All'altar Di Venere" (Pollione) [Live] 5. Norma, Act 1: "Odi?... I Suoi Riti a Compiere" (Flavio, Chorus, Pollione) [Live] 6. Norma, Act 1: "Me Protegge, Me Difende" (Pollione) [Live] 7. Norma, Act 1: "Norma Viene" (Chorus) [Live] 8. Norma, Act 1: "Sediziose Voci" (Norma, Oroveso, Chorus) [Live] 9. Norma, Act 1: "Casta Diva" (Norma, Chorus, Oroveso) [Live] 10. Norma, Act 1: "Fine Al Rito, E Il Sacro Bosco" (Norma, Oroveso, Chorus) [Live] 11. Norma, Act 1: "Ah! Bello a Me Ritorna" (Norma, Oroveso, Chorus) [Live] 12. Norma, Act 1: "Sgombra ? la Sacra Selva" (Adalgisa) [Live] 13. Norma, Act 1: "Eccola - Va, Mi Lascia" (Pollione, Adalgisa) [Live] 14. Norma, Act 1: "Va, Crudele" (Pollione, Adalgisa) [Live] 15. Norma, Act 1: "Vieni in Roma" (Pollione, Adalgisa) [Live] 16. Norma, Act 1: "Vanne, E LI Cela Entrambi" (Norma, Clotilde) [Live] 17. Norma, Act 1: "Adalgisa!... Alma, Costanza" (Norma, Adalgisa) [Live] 18. Norma, Act 1: "Oh, Rimembranza!" (Norma, Adalgisa) [Live] 19. Norma, Act 1: "Ah S?, Fa Core, Abbracciami" (Norma, Adalgisa) [Live] 20. Norma, Act 1: "Ma Di'... L'amato Giovine" (Norma, Adalgisa, Pollione) [Live] 21. Norma, Act 1: "Oh, Di Qual Sei Tu Vittima" (Norma, Adalgisa, Pollione) [Live] 22. Norma, Act 1: "Perfido!... Or Basti!" (Norma, Adalgisa, Pollione) [Live] 23. Norma, Act 1: "Vanne, S?, Mi Lascia, Indegno" (Norma, Pollione, Adalgisa, Chorus) [Live] 24. Norma, Act 2: Introduction (Live) 25. Norma, Act 2: "Dormono Entrambi!" (Norma) [Live] 26. Norma, Act 2: "Ol?! Clotilde!" (Norma, Clotilde) [Live] 27. Norma, Act 2: "Mi Chiami, O Norma?" (Adalgisa, Norma) [Live] 28. Norma, Act 2: "Deh! Con Te, Con Te LI Prendi" (Adalgisa, Norma) [Live] 29. Norma, Act 2: "Mira, O Norma" (Adalgisa, Norma) [Live] 30. Norma, Act 2: "Cedi... Deh Cedi!" (Adalgisa, Norma) [Live] 31. Norma, Act 2: "S?, Fino All'ore Estreme" (Adalgisa, Norma) [Live] 32. Norma, Act 2: "Non Part??" (Chorus) [Live] 33. Norma, Act 2: "Guerrieri! a Voi Venirne" (Oroveso, Chorus) [Live] 34. Norma, Act 2: "Ah! Del Tebro Al Giogo Indegno" (Oroveso, Chorus) [Live] 35. Norma, Act 2: "Ei Torner?. S?!" (Norma, Clotilde) [Live] 36. Norma, Act 2: "Squilla Il Bronzo Del Dio!" (Chorus, Oroveso, Norma) [Live] 37. Norma, Act 2: "Guerra! Guerra!" (Chorus) [Live] 38. Norma, Act 2: "N? Compi Il Rito, O Norma?" (Oroveso, Norma, Clotilde, Chorus, Pollione) [Live] 39. Norma, Act 2: "In Mia Man Alfin Tu Sei" (Norma, Pollione) [Live] 40. Norma, Act 2: "Gi? Mi Pasco Ne' Tuoi Sguardi" (Norma, Pollione) [Live] 41. Norma, Act 2: "Dammi Quel Ferro!" (Chorus, Norma, Pollione, Oroveso) [Live] 42. Norma, Act 2: "Qual Cor Tradisti" (Chorus, Norma, Pollione, Oroveso) [Live] 43. Norma, Act 2: "Norma! Deh! Norma, Sc?lpati!" (Chorus, Norma, Pollione, Oroveso) [Live] 44. Norma, Act 2: "Deh! Non Volerli Vittime" (Chorus, Norma, Pollione, Oroveso) [Live]