Why the static staging on all of these versions??? It is convention trumping art and sensibility! The libretto's intent is very clear: the dramatic irony and tension created by the turmoil in the heart, the very real stirring of personal emotions during a very public ceremony in which she must appear to be in control and in which every eye is upon her. No one does it this way and it mars what are several beautiful vocal renditions with no life to them at all. Where are you Stanislavsky?
@leslielandberg This performance derives from a Bell Telephone broadcast. Whatever staging is here was prepared for just this one aria, which is one reason the staging nothing out of the ordinary. The singing on the other hand -- WOW.
Even though I love Sutherland, she would turn a number 2, Callas 3, even though she is a great perfomer, but most definitely, Monserrat Caballé is simply the best, No. 1 vocally of course!
@FeelinMinnesota Caballe had a far more pleasant voice than Callas,and far better diction than Sutherland. All three were quite different but all were great.
Wow Sutherland's diction was a mess even in 1964 Casto divo? wow.. the rest of the vowels are a mess and the voice is swallowed.. too.. lets see my rating is 1, and 1..
la gente confunde A MI ME GUSTA TAL SOPRANO, CON ESTA ES MEJOR QUE TODAS.... Mejores no hay, Hay Operas que van bien a mas una que a otras, por su registro vocal, timbre, extension, caracter, la Stupenda, es insuperable en unas, la Callas en otras, la Caballe, en otras, y despues tenemos epocas, hoy las que destacan son Dessay, Damrau....
Ademas la Sutherland ha tenido mas de 45 años en el cenit de la Opera mundial, respetadisima por tantos años....en cambio la Callas no duro ni la mitad, a los 50 años la pobrecita no cantaba ni la "cucaracha" su vida sentimental fue un desastre que la llevo incluso a la tumba.
Considero que la Stupenda es decir , la Sutherland aqui es inmensamente superior a la Callas, primero porque su voz es una autentica soprano lirica ligera, las ligeras pueden hacer los trinos, stacattos, fiorituras, legados, etc con facilidad PORQUE HAY ARIAS PROPIAS PARA SOPRANOS LIGERAS COMO ESTA y le cae a la Stupenda como anillo al dedo.
Well, maybe it's the recordings but I never liked the Callas' version of this. It always sounds self indulgent and ponderous. Where as this has a spirituality that suits the lyric.
You're right, Distefano: I wondered "where is Callas" as well, since the Divina sang this aria several times in front of a camera. But I soon realized why she's not there: including Callas in such a contest would be like asking Federer to take part in a tennis tournament for beginners...
I just compared this with magghot's posting of Sutherland doing the same aria in '81, nearly 20 years later! Transposed admittedly, but who cares? The musicality and commitment are just as strong 20 years later...A great artist and much missed.
It sounds great in the original key and Madame Joan hits all those uncomfortable high notes with such accuracy and ease that one forgets how impossible it is to sing this in F (as opposed to all the other divas, apart from Gruberova who sing it in EFlat). Which just goes to show how many singers in the world are able to sing it as Bellini wrote it. I think when one is aware of this, any form of criticism becomes slightly inappropriate.
@iskenderuna Actually, Sutherland is singing it in G, the original key. F major is the lower version, which usually isn't as convincing. (Callas' interpretation would be an exception, of course.)
5/5 - I was pleasantly surprised at her interpretation here, which is almost as compelling as her fabulous voice.
Her voice is remarkable.... almost unbelievable. Her style is, however, lacking as much as her voice is amazing. Where is the intent, the pacing, the diction.... her phrasing is questionable at times, and aside from acting, that to me is Callas' strength. People seem to pass by her phrasing a lot more than they should... that's the reason she was great!
@BPJamaica She IS very 'klutzy' with her phrasing and with the morphing from one note or embellishment to another...mind you...to give the girl a break...i think this was REAL early in her renditions of 'Norma' (though i'm sorry...but no one will ever match OR 'outdo' Callas!!)
What a voice! Such a gift for us...It's always a pleasure to hear this celestial voice. We must appreciate those artists like Sutherland, Price, Sills, Callas and Caballé, Because perfection like this is no longer available on stage!
Everything she sings sounds like it's coming from deep in her chest, even the very high notes. So her voice is grounded in a way that's very rare for coloraturas.
I find hard to believe some of these rediculous comments over this video. We are lucky to have such a record of one of the most magnificent voices of all time. If you want to compare Joan to the others, remember it's like comparing Michaelangelo to his studio painters!
I like Cabelle the most in Casta Diva but Sutherland is absolutly amazing too and I like the sound more then Callas who may have been an amazing prefomer but not as good vocaly in my opinion.
Technique is not enough to be the greatest. Of course this performance is wonderful but we need characterization!! Callas didn't have such technique, but she was much more deeply moving.
oh by far her at her best. i mean. she couldnt of possibly done it better then that. but she really embodies the role. sutherland can sing it well but doesnt really draw you into the role.
As a spinto/dramatic soprano, I think Joan Sutherland is a phenomenon. She could take that giant voice of hers that could have sung Wagner & Turandot and control it so well as to sing Norma and even the light coloratura repertoire. She is amazing, and I use her example as a technical guide. There is no other like Joan.
I think the fact that Maria Callas isn't on ATLEAST the roster for THIS aria shows that your love for the art form of the coloratura soprano is second only to your lack of objectivity
On reflection I suppose that's unfair as you are only comparing videos, it would just be nice to compare to Callas. Thanks all the same for the uploads.
Sutherland is very very good, excellent technique. But the chorus is terrible, with those light, hardly-trained voices. Where was this recorded, who conducted?
Hi coloraturafan. Will you please consider adding my recital video to your casta diva contest. I am not quite as good as the others, but i've sung my best here. Thanks!
ew. I don't like it. is this the old cbc clip? bad vowels, bad legato in the beginning. I much prefer her LP recordings. it sounds too high, she may have been able to sing it in the original key, but maybe she should have tried the other.
I think you'd be surprised in that the "bad vowels" that Joan Sutherland uses, is actually the correct and healthy vocal techinque that is required to sing the role of Norma. If you don't care for her tone, or her acting - that is fine. But her techinque, at the very least, is perfectly fine to handle this aria.
We'll, to put it bluntly, if anyone didn't have the right techinque (and vocal talent) to handle this role, let alone the aria - eventually singing roles like this over time will ruin your voice. Also, you can sing in the Bel Canto-style and still have a realistic and intelligent performance. I agree though that sometimes Joan Sutherland's acting was not as good as others, at times.
As far as I am concerned I listen to opera to hear beautiful music with beautiful voices. I never cared for Maria Callas's voice. I personally believed that she overreached her capabilities. I liked her as Carmen though.
Joan Sutherland was a Bel Canto singer, and I much prefer her rendition of this aria, also the mad scene in Lucia De Lammermoor. Joan Sutherland had such a beautiful voice, that you can overlook her diction.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
dude...that's just an observation. It is quite BASIC to sing notes on pitch, especially on the onset, and especially when the orchestra beforehand is right on the money. You can extol the "virtues" of this singer all you want, but the truth stays --- she is flat as a result of the dark tone. Moreover, her diction needs major work. Can't understand a thing she's singing about. Again, it's a good thing she can sing high notes, which in turn actually redeems the poor thing. Get over yourself!
Sigues masificado con la Callas, Sr. Nebeshiku. Trata de escuchar sin prejuicios a las dos sopranos en este rol y te convencerá la tonalidad, los arabescos, la luminosidad, lo etéreo de la prestación de Sutherland; todo eso falta en la de Callas que hasta le falta la elasticidad del canto virtuosístico y los legatos estan cortados. Son razones de peso musical, fuera del gusto de cada quien. No es decir esta es la mejor, es decir por qué con objetividad y conocimiento musical.
Sutherland, la mejor Norma de la historia; canta en la tonalidad que Bellini había descrito (fa)y le da una calidad visrtuosística, nitidez en la zona aguda, esplendor del do sobreagudo y perfecta emisión de la zona grave. Ante ella la Callas es una scolaretta.
Sigue viviendo engañado, la mejor Norma de todos los tiempos es Callas. Sutherland siempre será una pobre sombra al lado de Callas. En una sola ocasion compartieron escenario, en 1952 durante una Norma de Callas, ahi tuvo su oportunidad de opacar a Callas, pero no lo pudo hacer. Siempre será Cleotilde bajo Callas.
Resperto tu opinion, pero todos nosotros tenemos el derecho de pensar lo que queremos de Sutherland. A ti te gusta Callas, a mi me encanta la maravillosa Sutherland. =)
gracias por tu respuesta! a mi me gusta Callas y ati sutherland pero pues eso es nuestro gusto personal la realidad es que callas es mejor que sutherland. eso no hace a sutherland mala, de hecho la BBC la considera como la segunda mejor soprano de la epoca grabada solo por debajo de Callas. Te agradesco tu contestacion tan civilizada, creí que iniciariamos un festival de insultos pero no fue asi!
And don't forget the fact that she did have quite a big chin, so yeah her face can seem a bit odd sometimes=) But she was (and still is, you should see how young she looks) a gorgeous woman anyway.
I think it's the other way around. Callas had a harsh and ugly voice to me, while Joan's remains pure and rounded at all time. And I never heard Joan having to make a noticable effort to hit a note, while Callas' voice often even fell away. And those mouth shapes are part of the technique, you'll see pretty much every good soprano do them.
No one can really let this aria "flow" like Joan does, and it all happens so natural for her. What I "hate" about the other Normas is how they tend to "chop" this aria into pieces, (especially the O1:09-01:20 part in this video)while it's this "flow" that makes this piece so beautiful to my ears.
Very interesting to read previous comments; Dame Joan's version here encapsulates for me characterization and musical intelligence in the dramatic context of the aria - and sings on her knees, into the bargain! May I recommend a comparative listening to Cecilia Bartoli's equally prayerful rendition of Casta Diva in the final track of the disc: 'Maria' where she delivers Malibran's repertoire.
When Bellini wrote Norma, there were no Verdi Operas...no Puccini...no Gioconda, no Chenier...Sutherland sings Bellini, IMO, the way Bellini heard it...sweetly, elegantly, and without all the more verismo qualities that most sopranos tried to bring to it, including Callas. Maybe there is a more detached quality to the singing, but keeping in mind what the composer expected, I think that Sutherland's approach works best for this kind of music.
Have you read Stendhal's description of Giuditta Pasta, Bellini's muse and first Norma? When I read that Sutherland does not pop into my head but Callas.
i don't think that dame joan ever intended to play rivals to maria or "her" norma (it is by bellini, after all..). she did it "her way" and it was just fine because she certainly did not try to copy... noone can copy maria's. they are both extremely valid.
Casta Diva in the original G key? Cool, something I haven't heard in a long time. Maria Callas did the original G key in the early career before her weight loss. A pity none of the soundtrack exists... I give it 4 out of 5 for this video.
she is perfection. one of the best ever. but something about Callas is so emotional, she has that special quality to project the emotions. Sutherland makes me have goosebumps.... Callas makes me cry.
WTF happens when I push the reply button. Again, my last post was an intended reply to
30martin082007, who said that Callas is sending out more (to the listener, but he must mean viewer) through her melancolia. And he add, tecnically, very good Sutherland.
Nah... Maria was huge because she was the 1st to sing it in a new way : huge voice but with coloratura. Sutherland brought that to a perfection. She definitely sounds better than Callas, but Callas was the original and we stick to it :)
That I just dont get. If you wanna see good acting, rent a movie. If you wanna listen to good musical performance, buy a CD (or in our days go to youtube). Please don't mix those two things. It can only become ugly. In the end, fine art will evolve into some melting pot. And if you look at the US of A, we all should be afraid of the outcome...
I heard her sing many times at the opera houses and concerts, There is simply no one to compare her to. She brought the audience to there feet every time. We will never see the likes of her again on the stage,
Hearing both Sutherland and Caballe is to listen to this music interpreted by two marvelous distinct voices. Montserrat sounds more like a spinto and so her lines are extended to show off her incredible breath control while Sutherland displays the trills and colors of her coloratura. Both of their individual styles speak to the rich recorded history of this aria.
There are some performers who achieve such greatness that can no longer be rated second best or the best. That is an illusion. One can´t decide between Monserrat or Joan. There are no classification for perfection.
Oh nuficuma: How can you tell this ! Sutherland is one of the greatest soprano voices, how can you compare her with Caballè ! Caballè voice isn't a great voice in any sense,
absolutely amazing, 5/5, but the second best ever, first one the great Montserrat Caballe in Bolshoi 1974, best Norma of history. No rating posible, or can the perfection be rated ?
The grande dame of great singing. Beautiful tone. She worked all of her life to make that sound. So beautiful and so perfectly placed. May I add, the dynamics are all there, too. Note the sweetness and the intonation. Perfection. Dolce!!!
It is amazing how perfect singing can make a performance boring! A shame that nowadays we have inadequate singing and less than perfect acting! I rest my case
First I must comment, how is one expected to compare a 60 year old Gruberova to a 37 year old sutherland. In any event, she was a bland as usuall in the characterization but her voice and technique is flawless... 5-vocal, 3-character
Edita Gruberova also sings "Casta Diva" in the original higher key that Bellini originally wrote it in. Too bad we will never hear Giuditta Pasta sing it, the role's creator!
I heard Leontyne late in her career; afterwards I went backstage to get her autograph. Before she made her appearance, we were told "Miss Price" didn't sign autographs or shake hands. She made a 30-second appearance to thank us for coming, and was gone. I heard Joan when the Met toured; after the opera she greeted each of her fans personally, and signed my program without my knowing it--I was too busy gushing over her performance. The difference is telling.
Maria Callas told Caballe she was the next Great Norma, and actually coached her on the role. She was in fact Callas' personal favorite in the the role. I love Sutherland, but I don't find her vocal temperament ideally suited for this music. Say what you will- Caballe's Casta Diva is transcendent, and in fact does sound like a prayer.
I have listened to a lot of these posts in the Casta Diva contest. Sutherland is one of the best. Gruberova who is one of my favorite living singers just doesn't make it. But the Caballe! What a pity Bellini didn't hear it. Caballe achieves perfection. Sutherland gets very close. Somebody listed the 3 greats: Callas, Caballe, and Sutherland. I would agree. Caballe has the voice as does Sutherland who make great art with the voice. Callas does it period.
This conflicts with Lord Harewood's view , talking about the great Callas, he said, the only recordings Callas heard that made her prick up her ears (apart from her own) were Sutherlands
Well then perhaps you should inform Caballe that she's lying. She said after Maria coached her on the role, she told her "after me, you're the next Norma". "Caballe described herself as a bel canto singer w/o Sutherland's high notes" - is this a prerequisite for singing Norma; to have an Eflat? I'm doubting Lord Harewood's account, but conflicts being what they are, I would find it hard to believe Caballe would lie in interviews.
Also, I've got scores of friends and associates that have seen both Caballe and Sutherland peform the role, and 95 PERCENT will tell you that Caballe's Norma was like nothing else they'd ever heard apart from Callas- sublime perfection, and Sutherland while her usual wonderful self was just that, and not more. Caballe is in a class all her own with this music.
That's apart from the fact she actually looks the part, is facially expressive, and visibly responsive to the music. How can anyone watch her peformance from Orange, '74, and even think otherwise? It just astounds me how anyone could prefer Sutherland. Read the comments here, read what people say, learn something.
I'm incredibly foolish? What makes you think you can say that? I stated my opinion about Sutherland, and it happens to fall in line with the huge majority of both listners and critics who agree.
If you don't agree, offer something substantial in reply, but don't call me foolish.Why not tell Madame Caballe, who while being interviewed in a documentary about Callas talks about her coaching with Callas on the role and more or less states " She said after my Norma it's you". She doesn't say after me it's Sutherland.
Have you noticed that most of the comments here are quite critcal, and not necessarily in the most flattering way, while mine far from that. You've picked me as your convenient target for whatever reason - but I've got some news for you - You picked the wrong bitch. Keep it up and see what the definition of bitch can be you stuffed up ass.
Also, if you're going to offer up an argument try being a bit more objective. 237 favorites which consist entirely of Sutherland, does not strike the right impression for someone who's making an argument about another singer. Obviously not the well traveled sort are you? Why not try opening up what little you obviously have of a fully operating mind.
If you had any sense, you'd have read my comments in the context they were intended. I adore Sutherland, I just don't think her Norma was her finest hour. It's surely considered one of her best, but just don't agree in this case. Only a fool would suggest that I'm trying to diminish her career. I be the first one on line to praise her Lucia among others, but not her Norma.
Thats fine. It's all too easy to really things differently than how they're intended. She's one of the giants of music - genius really. It's just interesting that with so many unflattering comments here, I seem to get the brunt of it.
Yes I am. It's fun, fabulous, and great to dance to. It's from a time when music was fun and uplifting. Besides, as much as I am in love with Opera, life can't all be Norma or Lucia..well for me that's how it is. I'm sure that might be looked down upon around here but whatvever... ces't la vie
If you had anything worthwhile and meaningful to say here, I would respond. You obviously see different comments here to me, typically American really. Next you will say the Americans are known for their cuisine rather than the French and Italians!
joan sutherland is together with callas the best Norma there is. the absolute softness and control over that powerful voice... unbelievable. I love her and get goosebumps on my skin and tears in my eyes just as with Callas. the others are good, but not emotional.
Amazing tone 4.5/5, and with June (and far second) the two best of the bunch, but shame on you for not including Callas, even at her worst she was a far better Norma than the two.
Well that's more like it. Of course the peppy tempo is all to the good. And is it my imagination, or does she sing it up a full tone from the other contestants? Which is correct?
Sutherland's is the correct tone. Most singers (and even Sutherland after the mid 70's) sing this aria one tone lower than the original. Sutherland's early recordings (from 1963 to about 1975) are, as far as I know, the only recordings in the original G major tessitura.
Anait Mchitarian 5
AnnaSimonyan 9 months ago
Dear Lord, what a woman! Amazing, light cooratura and all, but still, for me, she has the best interpretation od the aria...even Callas bows put...
marena9 1 year ago
MY FAVORITE SINGER. This aria is perfect in her voice.
amareloamarelinho 1 year ago
Loves it...
SandrineSoprano 1 year ago
Caballé has perhaps a more agreeable voice and her italian pronunciation is far superior than Sutherland's.
But Sutherland is vocally more in order IMHO
john5748 1 year ago
Why the static staging on all of these versions??? It is convention trumping art and sensibility! The libretto's intent is very clear: the dramatic irony and tension created by the turmoil in the heart, the very real stirring of personal emotions during a very public ceremony in which she must appear to be in control and in which every eye is upon her. No one does it this way and it mars what are several beautiful vocal renditions with no life to them at all. Where are you Stanislavsky?
leslielandberg 1 year ago
@leslielandberg This performance derives from a Bell Telephone broadcast. Whatever staging is here was prepared for just this one aria, which is one reason the staging nothing out of the ordinary. The singing on the other hand -- WOW.
CaptFitzbattleaxe 2 months ago
Even though I love Sutherland, she would turn a number 2, Callas 3, even though she is a great perfomer, but most definitely, Monserrat Caballé is simply the best, No. 1 vocally of course!
royarmjr 1 year ago
@royarmjr- I agree that Caballe is simply the best-vocally of course.Callas had other redeeming qualities such as acting and passion.
paulostroff99 1 year ago
@paulostroff99 Caballe has 1/4 of the size in ehr voice required to sing Norma.
FeelinMinnesota 11 months ago 2
@FeelinMinnesota Caballe had a far more pleasant voice than Callas,and far better diction than Sutherland. All three were quite different but all were great.
paulostroff99 11 months ago 2
THE BEST CASTA DIVA FROM JOAN SUTHERLAND!!!
chrisscruzzz 1 year ago
Wow Sutherland's diction was a mess even in 1964 Casto divo? wow.. the rest of the vowels are a mess and the voice is swallowed.. too.. lets see my rating is 1, and 1..
leonardovittori1 1 year ago
How can you have a CONTEST without the DEFINITIVE 'Norma;...CALLAS??!!!!Ludicrous...
TheMrMarilyn 1 year ago
la gente confunde A MI ME GUSTA TAL SOPRANO, CON ESTA ES MEJOR QUE TODAS.... Mejores no hay, Hay Operas que van bien a mas una que a otras, por su registro vocal, timbre, extension, caracter, la Stupenda, es insuperable en unas, la Callas en otras, la Caballe, en otras, y despues tenemos epocas, hoy las que destacan son Dessay, Damrau....
acitipo 1 year ago
Ademas la Sutherland ha tenido mas de 45 años en el cenit de la Opera mundial, respetadisima por tantos años....en cambio la Callas no duro ni la mitad, a los 50 años la pobrecita no cantaba ni la "cucaracha" su vida sentimental fue un desastre que la llevo incluso a la tumba.
acitipo 1 year ago
Considero que la Stupenda es decir , la Sutherland aqui es inmensamente superior a la Callas, primero porque su voz es una autentica soprano lirica ligera, las ligeras pueden hacer los trinos, stacattos, fiorituras, legados, etc con facilidad PORQUE HAY ARIAS PROPIAS PARA SOPRANOS LIGERAS COMO ESTA y le cae a la Stupenda como anillo al dedo.
acitipo 1 year ago
Excellent diction! I did not know this opera had ever been translated to Hawaiian.
taytaytoo 1 year ago
@taytaytoo HAHAHA! I adore Sutherland... but I must admit that made me laugh.
Gav640 1 year ago
Well, maybe it's the recordings but I never liked the Callas' version of this. It always sounds self indulgent and ponderous. Where as this has a spirituality that suits the lyric.
ancientLavada 2 years ago
OH my goodness I'm not sure how the other singers could even stand on stage beside her I would have fainted!!!! WONDERFUL!!!!!
csudetroitmoni 2 years ago
@csudetroitmoni try 'standing' her next to Callas...she don even stand a CHANCE!!
TheMrMarilyn 1 year ago
You're right, Distefano: I wondered "where is Callas" as well, since the Divina sang this aria several times in front of a camera. But I soon realized why she's not there: including Callas in such a contest would be like asking Federer to take part in a tennis tournament for beginners...
giant469 2 years ago 5
I just compared this with magghot's posting of Sutherland doing the same aria in '81, nearly 20 years later! Transposed admittedly, but who cares? The musicality and commitment are just as strong 20 years later...A great artist and much missed.
DazFromOz 2 years ago 3
@DazFromOz Yawn!!
TheMrMarilyn 1 year ago
It sounds great in the original key and Madame Joan hits all those uncomfortable high notes with such accuracy and ease that one forgets how impossible it is to sing this in F (as opposed to all the other divas, apart from Gruberova who sing it in EFlat). Which just goes to show how many singers in the world are able to sing it as Bellini wrote it. I think when one is aware of this, any form of criticism becomes slightly inappropriate.
iskenderuna 2 years ago 2
@iskenderuna Err...Callas sang it in original key...!!
TheMrMarilyn 1 year ago
@TheMrMarilyn - which recording are you referring to?
iskenderuna 1 year ago
@iskenderuna Err...i don't kind of understand this question??Was i referring to a recording??I can't see it!!??X!!
TheMrMarilyn 1 year ago
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@iskenderuna Err...i don't kind of understand this question??Was i referring to a recording??I can't see it!!??X!!
TheMrMarilyn 1 year ago
@iskenderuna Actually, Sutherland is singing it in G, the original key. F major is the lower version, which usually isn't as convincing. (Callas' interpretation would be an exception, of course.)
5/5 - I was pleasantly surprised at her interpretation here, which is almost as compelling as her fabulous voice.
CaptFitzbattleaxe 10 months ago
@CaptFitzbattleaxe you are of course right - my brain was working a tone down too when I wrote that!
iskenderuna 10 months ago
Her voice is remarkable.... almost unbelievable. Her style is, however, lacking as much as her voice is amazing. Where is the intent, the pacing, the diction.... her phrasing is questionable at times, and aside from acting, that to me is Callas' strength. People seem to pass by her phrasing a lot more than they should... that's the reason she was great!
BPJamaica 2 years ago 4
@BPJamaica She IS very 'klutzy' with her phrasing and with the morphing from one note or embellishment to another...mind you...to give the girl a break...i think this was REAL early in her renditions of 'Norma' (though i'm sorry...but no one will ever match OR 'outdo' Callas!!)
TheMrMarilyn 1 year ago
@TheMrMarilyn -Caballe 1,Muzia 2,Callas 3,and Ponselle in the mix as well.
paulostroff99 1 year ago
were is CALLAS????
distefano13069609 2 years ago
I think perhaps you should have a look at the comments written on Casta Diva Maria Callas (best) to get one answer to your question
RussinTirnaNog 2 years ago
Wouldn't do that, RussinTirnaNog. That clip is suffering from two morons creating numerous IDs in a stupid "Who's the best singer?" war. Disgusting.
Elisabetta611 2 years ago
Please note, I did not remark on the woman myself. Though I agree that the phraseology used was a little extreme and unexceptable.
RussinTirnaNog 2 years ago
A little?!
Maria Callas was a legendary Norma. But since Ponselle is also missing here, Maria Callas is in exquisite company.
Elisabetta611 2 years ago 3
What a voice! Such a gift for us...It's always a pleasure to hear this celestial voice. We must appreciate those artists like Sutherland, Price, Sills, Callas and Caballé, Because perfection like this is no longer available on stage!
yodavidnavarro 2 years ago
Everything she sings sounds like it's coming from deep in her chest, even the very high notes. So her voice is grounded in a way that's very rare for coloraturas.
exackerly 2 years ago
I find hard to believe some of these rediculous comments over this video. We are lucky to have such a record of one of the most magnificent voices of all time. If you want to compare Joan to the others, remember it's like comparing Michaelangelo to his studio painters!
njdriver622 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This video is awful. This is not Norma, it is a bad scene of a silly fairy tale. And the interpretation is shallow, as usual.
yglofmi 2 years ago
A simple profound and moving prayer..Brava!
wallyjohn1960 2 years ago
so early. at the met, no comparison--i nearly lost it.
rterrybell 3 years ago
Loads of great vids but no Callas? You CANNOT have a Casta Diva contest without her. Especially as there are videos of her singing it.
d123h456 3 years ago
Because she's invincible (Why would you compare something you know that's gonna win ;-)
Although, to be fair, Sutherland shouldn't be in the contest either)
kngiht84 3 years ago
After listening to the likes of Anna Netrebko and Mara Zampieri - how can anyone dare to criticize this performance?! 5/5
operabuff1 3 years ago
I like Cabelle the most in Casta Diva but Sutherland is absolutly amazing too and I like the sound more then Callas who may have been an amazing prefomer but not as good vocaly in my opinion.
ahmad123987 3 years ago
Technique is not enough to be the greatest. Of course this performance is wonderful but we need characterization!! Callas didn't have such technique, but she was much more deeply moving.
5/2
Simdaperce 3 years ago
Even Callas said she didn't have a good technique. But I don't agree too much with you: they were simply two distant planets.
You can reach the heart or the brain of people... so, Callas and Sutherland were equally great. In my humble opinion, of course.
extranged 3 years ago
Unbeatable!
alatosi 3 years ago
The best Norma!
sutherlandfan64 3 years ago
Brava Joan, you were without peer! Period!5 stars please!
petelovesbevsills 3 years ago
well, that was enjoyable. fun at the end. still prefer caballe.
lvesckbtch 3 years ago 3
I listened to a few Caballé versions on YT and none impressed me so much as that wonderful, 'atmospheric' performance in Orange in 1974.
ilexxian 3 years ago 3
oh by far her at her best. i mean. she couldnt of possibly done it better then that. but she really embodies the role. sutherland can sing it well but doesnt really draw you into the role.
lvesckbtch 3 years ago
As a spinto/dramatic soprano, I think Joan Sutherland is a phenomenon. She could take that giant voice of hers that could have sung Wagner & Turandot and control it so well as to sing Norma and even the light coloratura repertoire. She is amazing, and I use her example as a technical guide. There is no other like Joan.
toscadonna 3 years ago 12
Bravo, that says it all !!!
operabuff1 3 years ago
I think the fact that Maria Callas isn't on ATLEAST the roster for THIS aria shows that your love for the art form of the coloratura soprano is second only to your lack of objectivity
odddafe 3 years ago 2
Gotta say that I wondered the same thing. No Callas? No Ponselle?
Elisabetta611 3 years ago
Gotta agree - not bothering to listen to this with no example of the expert of this role. I should make an effort and post Callas for comparison.
opera1dan2 3 years ago
On reflection I suppose that's unfair as you are only comparing videos, it would just be nice to compare to Callas. Thanks all the same for the uploads.
opera1dan2 3 years ago
yes, but if you compare it to Netrebko it´s just magnificent and unbeatable!
operabuff1 3 years ago
almost fantastic
b2367 3 years ago
Sutherland is very very good, excellent technique. But the chorus is terrible, with those light, hardly-trained voices. Where was this recorded, who conducted?
minnie888444 3 years ago 3
Hi coloraturafan. Will you please consider adding my recital video to your casta diva contest. I am not quite as good as the others, but i've sung my best here. Thanks!
belcunto 3 years ago
ew. I don't like it. is this the old cbc clip? bad vowels, bad legato in the beginning. I much prefer her LP recordings. it sounds too high, she may have been able to sing it in the original key, but maybe she should have tried the other.
pasfresh123 3 years ago
I think you'd be surprised in that the "bad vowels" that Joan Sutherland uses, is actually the correct and healthy vocal techinque that is required to sing the role of Norma. If you don't care for her tone, or her acting - that is fine. But her techinque, at the very least, is perfectly fine to handle this aria.
EmilyGreene1984 3 years ago
So I guess *everybody else* who sang it in an intelligible way got it wrong then.
pasfresh123 3 years ago
We'll, to put it bluntly, if anyone didn't have the right techinque (and vocal talent) to handle this role, let alone the aria - eventually singing roles like this over time will ruin your voice. Also, you can sing in the Bel Canto-style and still have a realistic and intelligent performance. I agree though that sometimes Joan Sutherland's acting was not as good as others, at times.
EmilyGreene1984 3 years ago
As always Dame Joan Pulls out in front!
VirnAlfakyn 3 years ago
Wow I wish I could sing those waterfall like descents like her.
RAATCC36 3 years ago 5
As far as I am concerned I listen to opera to hear beautiful music with beautiful voices. I never cared for Maria Callas's voice. I personally believed that she overreached her capabilities. I liked her as Carmen though.
Joan Sutherland was a Bel Canto singer, and I much prefer her rendition of this aria, also the mad scene in Lucia De Lammermoor. Joan Sutherland had such a beautiful voice, that you can overlook her diction.
luvmuzik4me 3 years ago 4
This comment has received too many negative votes show
dude...that's just an observation. It is quite BASIC to sing notes on pitch, especially on the onset, and especially when the orchestra beforehand is right on the money. You can extol the "virtues" of this singer all you want, but the truth stays --- she is flat as a result of the dark tone. Moreover, her diction needs major work. Can't understand a thing she's singing about. Again, it's a good thing she can sing high notes, which in turn actually redeems the poor thing. Get over yourself!
bossmuscle 3 years ago
"poor thing"? That's an interesting way of putting one of the greatest sopranos in recording history...;). Just opinion of course.
Iareto 3 years ago 2
No lareto, that's a fact that you just said. Remember it's very easy to give out nonsense opinions on the Internet.
kngiht84 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
she's flat on the first note...middle to upper middle voice too dark - unfocused and flat in general. Thank goodness for her secure high notes.
bossmuscle 3 years ago
I am sure you can sing it better! Please post your version, I'd love to hear you sing a non flat non dark non focused in the middle casta diva.
Jabe88 3 years ago 3
tone and belcanto mastery.
OrpheuCe 3 years ago 3
The greatest Norma, the only one
jicontios 3 years ago
incantevole.Così si canta!!
belcantomania 3 years ago
Sigues masificado con la Callas, Sr. Nebeshiku. Trata de escuchar sin prejuicios a las dos sopranos en este rol y te convencerá la tonalidad, los arabescos, la luminosidad, lo etéreo de la prestación de Sutherland; todo eso falta en la de Callas que hasta le falta la elasticidad del canto virtuosístico y los legatos estan cortados. Son razones de peso musical, fuera del gusto de cada quien. No es decir esta es la mejor, es decir por qué con objetividad y conocimiento musical.
aljart 3 years ago
Sutherland, la mejor Norma de la historia; canta en la tonalidad que Bellini había descrito (fa)y le da una calidad visrtuosística, nitidez en la zona aguda, esplendor del do sobreagudo y perfecta emisión de la zona grave. Ante ella la Callas es una scolaretta.
aljart 4 years ago
Sigue viviendo engañado, la mejor Norma de todos los tiempos es Callas. Sutherland siempre será una pobre sombra al lado de Callas. En una sola ocasion compartieron escenario, en 1952 durante una Norma de Callas, ahi tuvo su oportunidad de opacar a Callas, pero no lo pudo hacer. Siempre será Cleotilde bajo Callas.
NEBESHIKU 3 years ago
Resperto tu opinion, pero todos nosotros tenemos el derecho de pensar lo que queremos de Sutherland. A ti te gusta Callas, a mi me encanta la maravillosa Sutherland. =)
WhoSfgas 3 years ago
gracias por tu respuesta! a mi me gusta Callas y ati sutherland pero pues eso es nuestro gusto personal la realidad es que callas es mejor que sutherland. eso no hace a sutherland mala, de hecho la BBC la considera como la segunda mejor soprano de la epoca grabada solo por debajo de Callas. Te agradesco tu contestacion tan civilizada, creí que iniciariamos un festival de insultos pero no fue asi!
NEBESHIKU 3 years ago
Jajaja, que agradable. :0 y de nada. Sabes que, voy a ver tu perfil.
WhoSfgas 3 years ago
stupenda esecuzione nella tonalità originale scritta da Bellini
henryv69 4 years ago
Maravilloso!
WhoSfgas 4 years ago
5/5 for Dame Sutherland
grobaniteforever 4 years ago 3
And don't forget the fact that she did have quite a big chin, so yeah her face can seem a bit odd sometimes=) But she was (and still is, you should see how young she looks) a gorgeous woman anyway.
Winn89 4 years ago 3
I think it's the other way around. Callas had a harsh and ugly voice to me, while Joan's remains pure and rounded at all time. And I never heard Joan having to make a noticable effort to hit a note, while Callas' voice often even fell away. And those mouth shapes are part of the technique, you'll see pretty much every good soprano do them.
Winn89 4 years ago 2
No one can really let this aria "flow" like Joan does, and it all happens so natural for her. What I "hate" about the other Normas is how they tend to "chop" this aria into pieces, (especially the O1:09-01:20 part in this video)while it's this "flow" that makes this piece so beautiful to my ears.
Winn89 4 years ago 4
6/6!!=)
Winn89 4 years ago 3
Very interesting to read previous comments; Dame Joan's version here encapsulates for me characterization and musical intelligence in the dramatic context of the aria - and sings on her knees, into the bargain! May I recommend a comparative listening to Cecilia Bartoli's equally prayerful rendition of Casta Diva in the final track of the disc: 'Maria' where she delivers Malibran's repertoire.
KK33nan 4 years ago
When Bellini wrote Norma, there were no Verdi Operas...no Puccini...no Gioconda, no Chenier...Sutherland sings Bellini, IMO, the way Bellini heard it...sweetly, elegantly, and without all the more verismo qualities that most sopranos tried to bring to it, including Callas. Maybe there is a more detached quality to the singing, but keeping in mind what the composer expected, I think that Sutherland's approach works best for this kind of music.
Operaddict 4 years ago 2
Have you read Stendhal's description of Giuditta Pasta, Bellini's muse and first Norma? When I read that Sutherland does not pop into my head but Callas.
Elisabetta611 4 years ago
Maria Callas is one of the best performer who sung Casta Diva... Joan sutherland was good...
oPeRa1923 4 years ago
absolutely loverly!
i don't think that dame joan ever intended to play rivals to maria or "her" norma (it is by bellini, after all..). she did it "her way" and it was just fine because she certainly did not try to copy... noone can copy maria's. they are both extremely valid.
cleanears 4 years ago 2
Casta Diva in the original G key? Cool, something I haven't heard in a long time. Maria Callas did the original G key in the early career before her weight loss. A pity none of the soundtrack exists... I give it 4 out of 5 for this video.
Aussiejabu 4 years ago 2
Joan wins
end of story!
andrewoconnorblue 4 years ago
Well, I would like to say Southerland is good. In my view, Callas 's version is much better. I prefer Maria Callas.
ttzzqq 4 years ago
Not Sutherland's best recording of this aria. However, I still give her a 5/4
PVcondo 4 years ago
she is perfection. one of the best ever. but something about Callas is so emotional, she has that special quality to project the emotions. Sutherland makes me have goosebumps.... Callas makes me cry.
greeneyesmexico 4 years ago 3
WTF happens when I push the reply button. Again, my last post was an intended reply to
30martin082007, who said that Callas is sending out more (to the listener, but he must mean viewer) through her melancolia. And he add, tecnically, very good Sutherland.
abitnf7s 4 years ago
callas' version is much much better. there's no comparing
DanyelHawkes 4 years ago
you MUST be joking
check joan's recording on the voice of the century decca release and then come back and say the same thing
andrewoconnorblue 4 years ago
great diva
johngarner3 4 years ago 2
The most beautiful Norma of them all.
Bravo Joan you made the hairs on my neck stand up with your singing and you STILL do.
mxwhisper 4 years ago
Nah... Maria was huge because she was the 1st to sing it in a new way : huge voice but with coloratura. Sutherland brought that to a perfection. She definitely sounds better than Callas, but Callas was the original and we stick to it :)
Anyway, Joan is... well STUPENDA!
hwhap13 4 years ago 2
I go with perfection :)
Jabe88 4 years ago
Maria Callas transmite mas con su melancolía...tecnicamente, muy bien Sutherland
30martin082007 4 years ago
That I just dont get. If you wanna see good acting, rent a movie. If you wanna listen to good musical performance, buy a CD (or in our days go to youtube). Please don't mix those two things. It can only become ugly. In the end, fine art will evolve into some melting pot. And if you look at the US of A, we all should be afraid of the outcome...
abitnf7s 4 years ago
5/5
Winn89 4 years ago
semplicemente supenda, specie nelle note alte
musighitta 4 years ago
5/2
nicevidbro 4 years ago
I heard her sing many times at the opera houses and concerts, There is simply no one to compare her to. She brought the audience to there feet every time. We will never see the likes of her again on the stage,
vegetableman1944 4 years ago
really good
gohansolo 4 years ago
My top three interpreters of "Casta Diva" are: Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland and Montserrat Caballe in that order.
Joeleole 4 years ago
Amazing. I cannot believe that a chirper like Gruberova can do this.
Elisabetta611 4 years ago
Hearing both Sutherland and Caballe is to listen to this music interpreted by two marvelous distinct voices. Montserrat sounds more like a spinto and so her lines are extended to show off her incredible breath control while Sutherland displays the trills and colors of her coloratura. Both of their individual styles speak to the rich recorded history of this aria.
operaoaf 4 years ago
Sutherland is definitely La Stupenda. I LOVE her, but I do think that Montserrat sings "this" role better.
VerdiOpera 4 years ago
Not one of my favorite Sutherland performances, but still... 5/5
sschimel 4 years ago
There are some performers who achieve such greatness that can no longer be rated second best or the best. That is an illusion. One can´t decide between Monserrat or Joan. There are no classification for perfection.
nuficuma 4 years ago
Oh nuficuma: How can you tell this ! Sutherland is one of the greatest soprano voices, how can you compare her with Caballè ! Caballè voice isn't a great voice in any sense,
pedoni5 4 years ago
absolutely amazing, 5/5, but the second best ever, first one the great Montserrat Caballe in Bolshoi 1974, best Norma of history. No rating posible, or can the perfection be rated ?
noncondition 4 years ago
Flabbergasting!!! 5/5 in my opinion to the greatest soprano ever!
miffy1950 4 years ago
The grande dame of great singing. Beautiful tone. She worked all of her life to make that sound. So beautiful and so perfectly placed. May I add, the dynamics are all there, too. Note the sweetness and the intonation. Perfection. Dolce!!!
larespo1 4 years ago
I agree ladyfreesia - what a wonderful voice.
jmsbk12345 4 years ago
Where are Callas and Ponselle in this contest?
Elisabetta611 4 years ago
Amazing voice. The voice of the century.
ladyfreesia 4 years ago
5/5 no one can beat La Stupenda 5/5
tklogan11809 4 years ago
perfect singing, boring performance, as usual. 4/5
leadingbyxample 4 years ago
It is amazing how perfect singing can make a performance boring! A shame that nowadays we have inadequate singing and less than perfect acting! I rest my case
timsuffolk 4 years ago
Nice. Too much colour. The Dame is perfect in other places.4/3.
jetatorre 4 years ago
5/4
rolocgn 4 years ago
First I must comment, how is one expected to compare a 60 year old Gruberova to a 37 year old sutherland. In any event, she was a bland as usuall in the characterization but her voice and technique is flawless... 5-vocal, 3-character
opera10er 4 years ago
3:30-3:43 Is about as perfect as singing can be done. It sends chills up and down my spine. 5/5
spizell 4 years ago
miss Sutherland is the real Norma, as Bellini wanted,belcantista with coloratura and pianissimo
joanabanyeres 4 years ago
Cum grege non gradior... 4/3
sediziosevoci 4 years ago
opinio vestra mihi recta videtur.
saverioorlando 4 years ago
This is Casta Diva in platinum! 5/5
IMHO, the cabaletta to this aria, "ah, bello a me ritorna...", could've been included to make the contest piece more complete.
sylin02 4 years ago
Edita Gruberova also sings "Casta Diva" in the original higher key that Bellini originally wrote it in. Too bad we will never hear Giuditta Pasta sing it, the role's creator!
dougbalt 4 years ago
Yes it can sung in G, M as Bellini wrote it, but we are forgetting that the diapason has gone very high
joanabanyeres 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
She did not have to sing the consonants? LOL! 3.5/1
iosonmedea 4 years ago
The best Norma ever!!!! 5/5
operafreak535 4 years ago
5/4 from the greatest soprano of all time. Brava Joan! pje
Eiswirth 4 years ago
Were you talking about Leontyne Price?
mm9913 4 years ago
I heard Leontyne late in her career; afterwards I went backstage to get her autograph. Before she made her appearance, we were told "Miss Price" didn't sign autographs or shake hands. She made a 30-second appearance to thank us for coming, and was gone. I heard Joan when the Met toured; after the opera she greeted each of her fans personally, and signed my program without my knowing it--I was too busy gushing over her performance. The difference is telling.
pje
Eiswirth 4 years ago 2
Leontyne who?????
timsuffolk 4 years ago
You know, the soprano for whom the Antony and Cleopatra was commissioned for the opening of the new Met.Sounds like "superstar".
mm9913 4 years ago
Oh there, its hardly Europe is it, lol!
timsuffolk 4 years ago
Maria Callas told Caballe she was the next Great Norma, and actually coached her on the role. She was in fact Callas' personal favorite in the the role. I love Sutherland, but I don't find her vocal temperament ideally suited for this music. Say what you will- Caballe's Casta Diva is transcendent, and in fact does sound like a prayer.
Andante735 4 years ago 4
I have listened to a lot of these posts in the Casta Diva contest. Sutherland is one of the best. Gruberova who is one of my favorite living singers just doesn't make it. But the Caballe! What a pity Bellini didn't hear it. Caballe achieves perfection. Sutherland gets very close. Somebody listed the 3 greats: Callas, Caballe, and Sutherland. I would agree. Caballe has the voice as does Sutherland who make great art with the voice. Callas does it period.
kelwien 4 years ago
This conflicts with Lord Harewood's view , talking about the great Callas, he said, the only recordings Callas heard that made her prick up her ears (apart from her own) were Sutherlands
timsuffolk 3 years ago
Well then perhaps you should inform Caballe that she's lying. She said after Maria coached her on the role, she told her "after me, you're the next Norma". "Caballe described herself as a bel canto singer w/o Sutherland's high notes" - is this a prerequisite for singing Norma; to have an Eflat? I'm doubting Lord Harewood's account, but conflicts being what they are, I would find it hard to believe Caballe would lie in interviews.
Andante735 3 years ago
Also, I've got scores of friends and associates that have seen both Caballe and Sutherland peform the role, and 95 PERCENT will tell you that Caballe's Norma was like nothing else they'd ever heard apart from Callas- sublime perfection, and Sutherland while her usual wonderful self was just that, and not more. Caballe is in a class all her own with this music.
Andante735 3 years ago
That's apart from the fact she actually looks the part, is facially expressive, and visibly responsive to the music. How can anyone watch her peformance from Orange, '74, and even think otherwise? It just astounds me how anyone could prefer Sutherland. Read the comments here, read what people say, learn something.
Andante735 3 years ago
You are incredibly foolish
timsuffolk 3 years ago
andante735 the comment above refers to
timsuffolk 3 years ago
I'm incredibly foolish? What makes you think you can say that? I stated my opinion about Sutherland, and it happens to fall in line with the huge majority of both listners and critics who agree.
Andante735 3 years ago
If you don't agree, offer something substantial in reply, but don't call me foolish.Why not tell Madame Caballe, who while being interviewed in a documentary about Callas talks about her coaching with Callas on the role and more or less states " She said after my Norma it's you". She doesn't say after me it's Sutherland.
Andante735 3 years ago
Have you noticed that most of the comments here are quite critcal, and not necessarily in the most flattering way, while mine far from that. You've picked me as your convenient target for whatever reason - but I've got some news for you - You picked the wrong bitch. Keep it up and see what the definition of bitch can be you stuffed up ass.
Andante735 3 years ago
Also, if you're going to offer up an argument try being a bit more objective. 237 favorites which consist entirely of Sutherland, does not strike the right impression for someone who's making an argument about another singer. Obviously not the well traveled sort are you? Why not try opening up what little you obviously have of a fully operating mind.
Andante735 3 years ago
Okay,Can you please SHUT UP. If you don't like Sutherland,thats okay. But don't try to diminsh her career. Thank you very much.
comey717 3 years ago
If you had any sense, you'd have read my comments in the context they were intended. I adore Sutherland, I just don't think her Norma was her finest hour. It's surely considered one of her best, but just don't agree in this case. Only a fool would suggest that I'm trying to diminish her career. I be the first one on line to praise her Lucia among others, but not her Norma.
Andante735 3 years ago
I apologize for the misunderstanding.
I also don't really warm up to her "Norma".
comey717 3 years ago
Thats fine. It's all too easy to really things differently than how they're intended. She's one of the giants of music - genius really. It's just interesting that with so many unflattering comments here, I seem to get the brunt of it.
Andante735 3 years ago
I also see that your a fan of The Supremes.
comey717 3 years ago
Yes I am. It's fun, fabulous, and great to dance to. It's from a time when music was fun and uplifting. Besides, as much as I am in love with Opera, life can't all be Norma or Lucia..well for me that's how it is. I'm sure that might be looked down upon around here but whatvever... ces't la vie
Andante735 3 years ago
If you had anything worthwhile and meaningful to say here, I would respond. You obviously see different comments here to me, typically American really. Next you will say the Americans are known for their cuisine rather than the French and Italians!
timsuffolk 3 years ago 2
joan sutherland is together with callas the best Norma there is. the absolute softness and control over that powerful voice... unbelievable. I love her and get goosebumps on my skin and tears in my eyes just as with Callas. the others are good, but not emotional.
greeneyesmexico 4 years ago
Amazing tone 4.5/5, and with June (and far second) the two best of the bunch, but shame on you for not including Callas, even at her worst she was a far better Norma than the two.
Pjeppy 4 years ago
Well that's more like it. Of course the peppy tempo is all to the good. And is it my imagination, or does she sing it up a full tone from the other contestants? Which is correct?
slobone 4 years ago
Sutherland's is the correct tone. Most singers (and even Sutherland after the mid 70's) sing this aria one tone lower than the original. Sutherland's early recordings (from 1963 to about 1975) are, as far as I know, the only recordings in the original G major tessitura.
Homoclassicus 4 years ago