Bellini: Norma (the complete opera, recorded in 2005)

G :-

All Regions - Widescreen 16:9 Anamorphic - LPCM Stereo / DTS 5.1 Surround - Colour - 187 Minutes - PAL

"Irini Tsirakidis, a Greek soprano with a lowish mezzo extension to her voice, takes on the role of Adagisa in more than competent fashion. She complements Papian well vocally and is an accomplished stage actress, though occasionally you may get the feeling she is restrained somewhat by the production itself. The duet "Mira, O Norma", rather like "Casta Diva", affect yet do not bring a tingle to my spine as other performances continue to do after years in their company."
(MusicWeb July 2007)

In Guy Joosten's ingenious production of Bellini's masterpiece, Norma is about more than just beautiful singing. It becomes a layered, timeless drama in which Norma is the archetypal successful woman struggling to retain her dominant but vulnerable position. Hasmik Papian's lyrical and intense interpretation of the title role accentuates the striking similarity between a Druid high priestess and a modern opera diva. Conductor Julian Reynolds guides the brilliant cast, choir and Netherlands Chamber Orchestra to great heights, providing a refreshing new take on the chef d'oeuvre of bel canto.

"Norma. Diva. Callas. Three keywords that are the core of Joosten's staging. A diva in a Callas costume who, as Norma, loses her way in the labyrinths of the opera world and who can no longer distinguish between the drama on stage and reality. Joosten's stage interpretation offers interesting contemplations on opera business and on the role and character of a star soprano in a typical Callas situation… The story starts as an opera in an opera, but gradually the boundaries between theatre and reality become more and more ambivalent... great class!"
-Trouw

"Armenian soprano Hasmik Papian portrays her Norma confidently, with lyrical and passionate passages, flexible and temperamental..."
-NRC Handelsblad

"Conductor Julian Reynolds extensively studied Bellini's score in manuscript and introduces lots of surprising details."
-De Telegraaf