Bellini - Norma
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Movie Reviews of Bellini - Norma
Movie Review: Not Eurotrash!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I wish that some of the reviewers would take the trouble to go beyond the standard traditional settings of operas and try to extend themselves. I admit that some directors are over the top (the Opus Arte Norma directed by Guy Joosen is a case in point), but seeing similar productions over and over does get a bit tedious. But, even the Joosen production is worth seeing because if nothing else it helps sharpen one's critical skills.
This production is emotionally very evocative. Certainly it is spare, but one does not need to throw enormous sums of money making an elaborate set a la Met to produce an effective opera. What more does one need for the public scenes when there is excellent lighting, demarcated floor spaces, an altar, a gong and well-directed choreography? What more does one need than a claustrophobic subterranean area in which to hide the children and in which to have the private scenes? Try your own imagination. Further, the spare sets allow the audience to focus on the psychological interpersonal aspects of the opera -- and Jurgen Rose's direction certainly brings that out. The emotions and dilemmas in this opera are timeless, so why need it be set in Roman times? Certainly you Americans should be well versed in public figures who rail against sexual expression only to be found out having sexual peccadillos (and worse) themselves.
The acting/singing from all the cast is superb. It is a wise performer who knows when she is ready for a role -- and Gruberova certainly knew what she was doing in waiting. (Would that June Anderson had waited before coming up with her Norma Lite.) Certainly, she is just about on a par with Caballe's excellent performance in Orange -- and the vision and sound in this production are so much better. And, I must emphasise, the set, is so much better as well; although the Mistral in Orange does add a certain frisson.
So now we have two Normas for the ages. Wonderful.
Movie Review: Gruberova scores an artistic triumph as Norma
Summary: 5 Stars
Gruberova waited long before tackling Norma on stage, and this DVD confirms that the wait has been worth it. Having released a concert performance on CD which was recorded in 2005, her first staged performances were recorded by UNITEL in January/February 2006 at the Bayerische Staatsoper. I must admit that looking at Gruberova, one sees an older woman, which is obvious, given that she was almost 60 at the time of this recording. However, age has not seemed to have taken its toll too heavily on her vocal resources. It was probably the need to rise to the occasion that made this recording all the more special. Munich assembled an outstanding supporting cast and Haider, ever the loving and sympathetic conductor, allowed his wife to shine. His interpretation of Bellini's score is, in my opinion flawless and even better than the CD recording. The audience love Gruberova and the performance is one to listen to over and over again. This will probably be the ideal performance for many, however, Jurgen Rose's sets, costumes and direction will disappoint those who prefer a more traditionlist approach to the opera, with a minimal set and the chorus flasing guns at certain moments. Musically, there are no cuts and Gruberova sings Casta Diva in G, as well as both verses of of her ensuing cabaletta. Mira o Norma, with a wonderul Ganassi as Adalgisa, is sung in the high key, with both voices blending beautifully. Todorovich bawls his way a bit through the ungrateful role of Pollione and Scandiuzzi is sonorous as Oroveso. There is even an 11 minute feature on the making of the production, as well as short interviews with the stars. With superb DTS sound and picture in high definition colour, this is one DVD I have and will return to many times over!Movie Review: Ignore the Nitpickers - There Isn't a Better Performance Around
Summary: 5 Stars
All the great Normas of whom I'm aware (Callas, Sutherland, Caballe and, distantly in time, Ponselle) were betrayed in one way or another by their supporting cast. Or, if not their cast, the conductor.
Not this time. This is a magnificent performance and the magnificence emerges as early as the overture - which soars.
All the supporting cast - and make no mistake, NORMA is Norma's opera and that is as it should be - all the supporting cast is excellent and they sing their bel canto with intelligence as well as accuracy.
I still love all the old recordings and dvd's but this one in two minutes assumed a very special place in my heart.
Movie Review: Vocal Triumph
Summary: 5 Stars
Wonderful singing by the principals and fine conducting make this a memorable performance. The by now conventional aspects of the staging and costumes (minimalism in the sets, pointless mixing of eras and apparently deliberate ugliness in the costumes) are easily ignored when one hears Gruberova's and Ganassi's undeniably beautiful way with the bel canto line. No doubt Bellini himself would have approved, if he had been lucky enough to have had a duo of their caliber.Movie Review: Pure Enjoyment
Summary: 5 Stars
Gruberova is one of the best sopranos living today. But since she almost never performs in the US, Americans do not experience her wonderful voice -- except through her CDs.
Norma is also not performed often, given the vocal demands and the lack of singers who can sing it well.
In this CD, we have a truely winning combination.