Bellini: Norma

Callas' Second Studio Norma

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 ...

operalover2000 04.04.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Bellini: Norma

A toast to Bellini's BET200

Advantages: Nice Italian design, crumb tray, good value
Disadvantages: Metal casing gets a little hot while toasting

Introduction I bought this toaster from the electricals and appliances superstore up the road from me after I moved about a year ago. If you are looking for something to go with, say, a stainless steel kettle, and are as much a bargain-hunter as style-conscious, then you might want to opt for this - an absolute bargain at £19.99. Look & Feel This Bellini toaster stuck out from the rest on the shelf because of its nice brushed steel finish and nicely-rounded design. It is a standard 2-slice toaster size, with slots both big enough to accomodate a longer-than-average white bread, and wide enough to take unusually-shaped bread. Setting the timer is just a case of twisting a dial until you get the number for your desired toast shade displayed on top. You can go from 1 through to 6, with 2-4 certainly sufficient for what most ...

cwb1 30.10.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Bellini BET200

A great little machine at a great price!

Advantages: Makes good popcorn, good price
Disadvantages: Noisy - it frightened the cat!

for a popcorn maker! I searched the Internet and the best price that I could find which looked sturdy enough to do the job was £14.67 and then I had got to pay postage on top of that. I toyed with the idea but then forgot all about it until??.. We were in Currys some weeks ago looking at radios and I noticed a display of 'fun' gadgets for Christmas including a drinks fountain, a chocolate fountain and - guess what? - a popcorn maker. The cost of said popcorn maker had been reduced to £12.50. We took a good look at it and decided to go for it. We thought that at £12.50, if we didn't use it very often, it wouldn't really matter. We still had one or two vouchers that we had got via our Visa card so we put £10 towards it using one of those. The machine in question was the Bellini BEPM10 Popcorn Maker which comes in a nice sturdy box ideal ...

SusanLesley 09.02.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Bellini Popcorn Maker