Search - Bellini: Norma [Blu-ray] on Blu-ray

A terrible concept, yet again!

P. Byrne | 09/01/2008

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This is that ridiculous Norma dvd from a couple of years ago, yet again. Changing the package, and the technology is not going to make it any better. Another "concept" on a masterpiece. This time we are backstage with the singers, making entrances and exits. None of it makes any sense. Norma makes her first entrance done up like Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard. What has that to do with anyting in the libretto? From there it is downhill. If the singing were great, maybe, but it isn't. Why bother. Get the Caballe Normas from Orange or Barcelona.Magnificent. When I first ordered this mess I played it several times to see if it had some redeeming factors. I sold it online for $10.00.



Patrick Byrne"

Not what I had expected but in the end - very good!

John Chandler | Melbourne, Australia | 11/08/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was unprepared for the presentation and was initially irritated by the opening which brings ancient Rome backstage of a modern opera house. It all looked as if I was in for another of these modern and all too often pretentious productions. (I am generally a traditionalist and prefer to see what the composer would have had in mind). I had not done any home work and had not grasped what the producer was up to. The playing and singing is however exceptional and as the disc progressed I forgot my initial dislike and came to enjoy it more and more. This is an excellent disc, but go to the extras BEFORE you watch the opera. You will then avoid my mistake and be able to follow the production so much better. This is not the traditional Norma but neither is it the dreaded 'dinner suits on an empty stage'. The blend is quite skillful and once one accepts the revised plot the disc can be fully enjoyed. My initial reaction was to send it back, I will now keep it and expect to watch it many times. Get it, it is visually and sonically outstanding."

Coughing, Coughing, then some more coughing... and then wors

Eric Falardeau | Montreal, Quebec Canada | 10/27/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I have never heard so much crowd noise on any recordings and I own 6000 CDs/SACDs. The stage direction is not even close to be related to the libretto. Through 6 sittings, I managed to go through about 60% of it, but this disk is going to the garbage bin. Too bad because the vocal/orchestral interpretation is quite good."