Performances of Norma are still scarce enough so that each one deserves our attention. Any new proponent of the title role is a very brave woman indeed, and in recent years Carol Vaness, Edita Gruberova, June Anderson, and now Dimitra Theodossiou, in this production from the Teatro Massimo Bellini, have thrown their hats into this bel canto ring.
Alberto Verso’s sets and costumes are handsome in a traditional, non-specific-time-or-place way, with primary colors and nature playing a great part. Walter Pagliaro’s direction is straightforward, with more than enough hand-to-heart, stand-up-and-sing movements interspersed with some finer, more personal touches. The chorus moves in and out efficiently. Finding action for this opera is not easy, and each singer is left pretty much alone. Riccardo Zanellato’s Oroveso is well (if lightly) sung, and he moves with the authority of a high priest. Nidia Palcios, a soprano Adalgisa, sings with lovely, girlish tone and looks good, but inflecting the text does not seem to interest her much. Carlo Ventre, a Uraguayan tenor with a big, handsome sound, does what he can with Pollione; he’s awkward on stage.
But the focal point of course is Theodossiou. She is an interesting singer with a full, lyric voice and the coloratura to do the role proud, and she has all the notes and plenty of temperament. With her Cindy Lauper-like red spiked hair and regal bearing she takes control of the part. She misses Callas’ stature and insights, and no one comes near the tonal allure (and occasional remarkable depth of feeling) of Caballé, but she’s warmer than June Anderson and more appealing than Gruberova. She’s particularly potent in the opera’s last half-hour. She’s a successful Norma, and there’s much to enjoy on this DVD, but it’s hardly a definitive reading.
Giuliano Carella leads with true, Italianate warmth. There’s good picture and sound, although there’s occasionally a second-or-two discrepancy between mouth movement and sounds coming therefrom. Subtitles are provided in most European languages and Chinese. Can you put up with a murky picture and medium-fi sound? Go for the Norma with Caballé and Vickers on VAI-Video.
