Norma

Bellini's opera Norma is unjustly neglected. The plot is unusual: it concerns feminine solidarity when two women realise that the lover they share is a bounder. It is also unusual in having a tenor as villain rather than hero. Shin Young Hoon sings well but cannot make much of the rather thankless dramatic role of Pollione. Norma does require two world-class sopranos and, in this performance, it gets them. June Anderson is a confident Norma, and acquits herself well in the vocal pyrotechnics of Casta Diva, but the revelation of this performance was the young mezzo Daniela Barcellona in the role of Adalgisa. Her duets with Anderson were electrifying. They achieved a remarkable synchronicity in their phrasing and harmonies. If it is not too heretical to say so, they reminded me of the Everly Brothers.

This film was apparently made for Italian TV in 2001 so, sadly, it is in 4:3 format.

I love Bellini, and Norma, though tough with long, flowing passages and bursts of tense action, has a wonderful story and some of his best music and not just Casta Diva. This production is mostly very good, though the 1974 Norma with Caballe and Vickers is my favourite, with some big pluses but the minuses are also apparent.

The costumes and sets are very good with a nice touch of symbolism. The picture quality is good, if grainy sometimes, and the sound and camera work are great. The orchestra and chorus are also excellent, and I loved Fabio Biondi's conducting which was full of agility, though Mira O Norma could've been more lyrical. I wasn't entirely crazy about the make-up and painted faces, and Pollione looked ridiculous here to me, and no it is not just the wig.

Singing is solid mostly. However there is one big weak link, Shin Young Hoon as Pollione. Granted, Pollione is a somewhat thankless role but also a difficult one too. But the thing is Vickers for example actually did something with it. Hoon is however very inexpressive and dull in his acting and interaction, his diction is unintelligible and there is some tension and weediness in his high register.

June Anderson is a good actress with lots of sincerity and feeling, and has a lovely voice that are put to fantastic use in the duets between her and Adalgisa. She also looks beautiful. Overall her Norma is good, with her final scenes very moving. But I was disappointed in her unexciting recitative singing and her rather cautious Casta Diva, which was in need of more legato and there is an unappealing harshness at times.

Throughout the production though she warms up significantly, and shines with Barcellona in their duets together.

There are two performances that are truly wonderful. One is Ildar Abdrazakov as Oreoveso. He is tall and imposing in stature, and processes a smooth and very rich voice. The other and my vote for the best performance is Daniella Barcellona, who with her communicative presence and warm voice is perfect as Adalgisa.

All in all, apart from a weak Pollione, an overly-cautious Casta Diva and a few other little things, I enjoyed this Norma. 7.5/10 Bethany Cox