Bellini: (I) Puritani

Advantages: about equal!
Disadvantages: high price of the Sutherland set

...Keen opera fans may sometimes be puzzled by the choice available on the shelves of the larger record shops, especially when trying to compare two stellar casts. Bellini's last (and arguably greatest) opera, I Puritani, is a case in point, with recordings by Callas and Sutherland heading the list. Personally I bought both, to avoid having to choose, but each has it's merits. Callas, as always, brings greater warmth and fire to the usually pallid role of Elvira, but Sutherland's effortless roulades and trills are a joy to hear, and a young Pavarotti has a flawless technique in the infamous tenor role which defeated Caruso, complete with a hair-raising top F in his final aria. The Sutherland set also avoids the cuts made in the earlier recording, but is handicapped by Decca's greedy pricing - still at full-price after 30 years? Come on... Read review

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Advantages: Bellini's music. Gruberova, Kasarova, Bernardini
Disadvantages: Morosow

...that at times it's almost like 2 parts of the same psyche debating each other. Bellini wrote some drop dead gorgeous ensemble numbers in this work. Act I ensemble finale is superbly blended, and Act II trio 'Angiol di pace' is one of the most beautiful in opera. Maestro Pinchas Steinberg leads the ORF-Symphony Orchestra in a precise and idiomatic manner, taking great care not to cover his singer while keep the tempi flowing. If you are a bel canto fan, this is a great CD recording to buy. It displays bel canto singing at its best. The sound is very good for a live recording with some coughing in the audience occasionally (not excessive, tho). There are 2 CDs. The opera is sung in Italian. Booklet contains track listing, photos of all the principals, note on the history of the opera, synopsis, and libretto in German, English and Italian.... Read review

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Advantages: Fine performances all round, especially Ludwig and Corelli
Disadvantages: Callas not in best voice

...This is often considered one of the finest recordings of Bellini's opera "Norma". That opera is one of the best 'bel canto' operas of the nineteenth century. Norma, the soprano title character, has a secret relationship with the tenor Pollione, a Roman and thus an enemy to her people. She loves Pollione but he loves another priestess, the mezzo Adalgisa. Eventually it transpires that Norma has the power to decide the fate of Pollione and Adalgisa. Pollione is sentenced to death for being found on sacred ground (hoping to elope with/abduct Adalgisa). But rather than point the finger at Adalgisa for breaking her vows Norma admits to breaking her own vows with Pollione. Pollione, seeing Norma's nobility - she had felt pity for Adalgisa having intended to reveal the young priestess' betrayal - realises how much he loved her. They both mount... Read review

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