Casta diva, arranged for piano

Sigismund Thalberg's arrangement of the aria "Casta diva" from Bellini's Norma. He was a great pianist (and rival of Liszt) in the 19th century, but is now almost forgotten. From an open-air recital (the wind doesn't help the sound quality, I'm afraid!)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• thalberg
• liszt
• transcription
• piano
• operatic
• casta
• diva

[juufa72]

Very nice. Do you have the opus number on this? I can't find it on IMSLP. Thanks.

[alkanliszt]

It's no.19 in the op 70 set ("The Art of singing applied to the piano").

[tonytony1945]

Hi, today Nov.30th, 2008, I saw and heard both of your videos on Norma's Casta Diva. You are a very sensitive expressive player. My congratulations to you. You have what I seldom find on very good piano technicians: attenuated expression and subtleness (subtlety).

[alkanliszt]

Thanks. I wouldn't claim to be a particularly good pianist, but I do consider that there are many pianists out there with outstanding technique who at the same time communicate very little in musical terms.

[MastersoftheOpera]

Wow! Bravo! This was a beautiful rendition of Casta Diva on the piano. I loved it very much.

[keyserbwa]

Two words :

BRAVO & THANKS =)

[htshoward]

I think your touch is beautiful...and I find nothing wrong with your technique from my view lol.  Geez. Quite nice!!!

[belcunto]

Thank you very much for posting this performance. I am not sure if the run up to the high notes (in bel sembiante etc.) was correct though... then again, i am used to Norma, the opera, not the piano arrangement.

If i ever bring my production to town will you accompany my singing? Casta Diva is one of my favourite arias and i have posted a video of me singing it, for your convenience.

And i admire the tactful way in which you handled the comment from 52dalibor - very gracious.

[alkanliszt]

I 100% agree with the "rehearse at a subconscious level". I'm in a slightly unusual situation, as realistically I am an amateur pianist, but I have managed to give quite a few public concerts. If you're interested, I have another video (indoors, from memory!) on youtube of the Thalberg Casta diva which I personally think is better. Unfortunately the quality of the sound is ultimately limited by the capabilities of my camcorder.

[52dalibor]

sorry i thought you were doing something professional. you play well and i am even more respectful of your taste and imagination.. memory helps one to rehearse at a sub conscious level. i look forward to hearing you play Taussig and Thalberg in a sympathetic acoustic. it would be great if you could do the norma with good sound.best wishes from prague.