Bellini - Norma
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Movie Reviews of Bellini - Norma
Movie Review: BRAVA GRUBEROVA
Summary: 5 Stars
What a phenomenal potrayal of a very difficult character by Gruberova. Her singing is flawless in all the registers. This woman can teach many of the newer singers of today who fail miserablely at the more difficult Bellini roles how to approach the work. The supporting cast is also excellent.Movie Review: Great Norma
Summary: 5 Stars
En excellent performance of Norma and Adalgisa.
A beautiful singing of the "Casta Diva"
Five stars to Gruberova and Ganassi who took the vocal challenges and performed it amazing.
Movie Review: Why not 5 Stars?
Summary: 4 Stars
No doubt, this whole DVD is all about Gruberova. I have no problem to give five stars to this DVD just based on her performance. Then I think I should deduct some points for whatever else that I don't like.
There are so many elements in a production of an opera: the set; the lighting; the costume; the concept of the stage director; the orchestra/chorus/conductor; and ultimately, the singers (after all, their voice is what we all came to hear). The quality of a DVD also comes into play. Fortunately, this disc was made using the latest technology, not a re-mastered piece; the quality of the disc is the best I have ever seen.
By now I already get used to those minimal settings on the opera stage. This one does not upset me. But, can they put just a little bit more stuff on the stage? For one thing, I do agree with Archie that using an underground cave as a hideout for Norma and her children is a clever way in the setting. However, it was not obvious and I did not click the first time when she walked up to the stage from down there.
The costume, which I think has quite a bit to do with the stage director's concept, it agitated me a little at first. I thought I was seeing the Romans in today's army uniform but the Gauls wore ancient clothes. What a match? As stage directors often transform the period of the plot to suit today's situation, then I thought it might be the Gauls were being portrayed as Muslims (in today's clothing, sort of). The idea is being that Christians (Romans) and Muslims don't mix (they are enemies in the plot). Remember the Crusaders? I might guess it wrong. But I would let it go this way for now. It should be clarified that in no way I am trying to inject any political correctness (or incorrectness) here. Just tried to figure out what was going on on-stage. Still, the army uniforms and the machine guns are bothersome.
Now, the singers: Read through all the existing reviews, I did not find anything else but just nice words that please both Gruberova and Ganassi. I don't think I can (or need to) add anything more to it other than cheer along with them, with enthusiasm. In addition to the fine work of this two singers, the conductor and his orchestra have done an excellent job; their performance were totally first rate. Very seldom one could experience such fabulous sound from the pit. A thumb way up is in order. My big problem is with the tenor. I really cannot stand the way he shouted all the way in the first act. Though he finally came around in the second act. It is quite common that singers need time to warm up. Why took the entire first act to do that? The problem is not just the screaming. Though not a good thing, many tenors do that quite often. In this case he let all the air out from his lung (sounded like chest voice, or something else, not exactly know what it was). Using chest voice constantly is really bad. Then, he swung his body a lot, even more so when he scream. Too much acting!
Movie Review: Not quite perfect
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a very enjoyable recording. The modern setting was very tasteful but I must admit I sure missed the breast-plated, bare-legged Romans you usually get in this opera. Also, the priestesses had to wear robes that covered their neck and head so only their faces were showing which did not compliment Gruberova well being in her later years for the Casta Diva scene. However, she looked quite good with her hair down during the rest of the opera. Otherwise the setting was pleasing enough. There was some strange direction in the last duet between Norma and Adalgisa where Norma continued to be distraught instead of relieved and happy to have renewed their friendship. Even the audience seemed a bit surprised and their applauding at the end seemed intrepid, as though they were confused by the acting. I was - it didn't fit the words.
All the singers are quite enjoyable. Ganassi sings a lovely Adalgisa and her acting is touching. Scandiuzzi is a handsome-voiced Oroveso, and Todorovich is a heroic-sounding Polione. Although he has a bit of an accent, his manner of both singing and acting has a bit of an Italianate feel. I think he is Serbian. Anyway, I thought he was pretty enjoyable.
Which brings me to Gruberova, whom I am a fan of. I always purchase whatever recordings I can find of hers and find her voice tremendously beautiful and her coloratura outstanding. Her voice here is quite powerful in the middle and upper range and she seems to have no real trouble at all singing the role the way she wants to. Her coloratura is unearthly. There is one flaw in her singing however that leaves me a little disappointed on some of these later recordings of her: Her lower register - she tends to fade out on the lowest notes and seems very averse to switching to chest register. This did not seem to be such a problem for her in past years. Aside from that, her singing is quite impressive in this video. Her acting is very acceptable.
I think I have seen all the commercial Norma videos and this is the best and it rivals the best of any of the audio recordings I have of the opera.
The audio engineering could have been done better - you will find yourself constantly adjusting the volume unless of course, you don't have any close neighbors and can just let the loud bits blast away. But if it is not quite loud, you will not be able to hear the quiet bits. A common problem on DG recordings I have found.
Movie Review: A great Norma, vocally!
Summary: 4 Stars
I agree completely with the reviewer who gave only 4 stars to this DVD because of almost bordering on "euro-trash". What are soldiers in Roman occupied Gaul doing running around in trench coats, carrying rifles and smoking cigarettes?
Now, vocally this is an amazing production. Who could tell that Gruberova will be producing such glorious sounds this late in her career, Sonia Ganassi sounds great, and in their duetti they just sound heavenly.
Sorry, that I could not go for the fifth star.