DVD 7274 NORMA (Bellini)

This is more than a performance, it's an experience. The video isn't that good, it's black and white, and was filmed during a mistral (windstorm) in the south of France with costumes and music and everything about to blow away, even the zaftig Mme. Caballe. But Caballe gives one of her greatest performances. Vickers ducks the high C in the first aria and despite some mistakes is his usual powerful, dramatic self, and Veasey is a fine Adalgisa (she ought to have recorded more -- what a fine Dido she was in the first Davis/Troyens.) Patane was always a good opera conductor and he does himself proud. The whole experience is a real trip, not perfect, or even close (look at Sutherland or Gruberova for a more normal yet still satisfying Norma on video) but out of this world!