Erinnerungen an Herbert Von Karajan
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Sir John Eliot Gardiner Conductor Stravinsky Symphony in Three Movements = 160 Andante—Interlude:Q L’Istesso Tempo— Con Moto Elgar in the South (Alassio), Op
Program OnE HundrEd TwEnTIETH SEASOn Chicago Symphony orchestra riccardo muti Music director Pierre Boulez Helen regenstein Conductor Emeritus Yo-Yo ma Judson and Joyce Green Creative Consultant Global Sponsor of the CSO Thursday, January 20, 2011, at 8:00 Saturday, January 22, 2011, at 8:00 Sir John Eliot gardiner Conductor Stravinsky Symphony in Three Movements = 160 Andante—Interlude:q L’istesso tempo— Con moto Elgar In the South (Alassio), Op. 50 IntErmISSIon Bartók Concerto for Orchestra Introduzione: Andante non troppo—Allegro vivace Giuoco delle coppie: Allegro scherzando Elegia: Andante non troppo Intermezzo interrotto: Allegretto Finale: Presto Steinway is the official piano of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. This program is partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts. CommEntS by PHILLIP HuSCHEr Igor Stravinsky Born June 18, 1882, Oranienbaum, Russia. Died April 6, 1971, New York City. Symphony in three movements o composer has given us more Stravinsky is again playing word Nperspectives on a “symphony” games. (And, perhaps, as has than Stravinsky. He wrote a sym- been suggested, he used the term phony at the very beginning of his partly to placate his publisher, who career (it’s his op. 1), but Stravinsky reminded him, after the score was quickly became famous as the finished, that he had been com- composer of three ballet scores missioned to write a symphony.) (Petrushka, The Firebird, and The Rite Then, at last, a true symphony: in of Spring), and he spent the next few 1938, Mrs. Robert Woods Bliss, years composing for the theater and together with Mrs. -
Klsp2018iema Broschuere.Indd
KLANGSPUREN SCHWAZ INTERNATIONAL ENSEMBLE MODERN ACADEMY IN TIROL. REBECCA SAUNDERS COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE. 15TH EDITION 29.08. – 09.09.2018 KLANGSPUREN INTERNATIONAL ENSEMBLE MODERN ACADEMY 2018 KLANGSPUREN SCHWAZ is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2018. The annual Tyrolean festival of contemporary music provides a stage for performances, encounters, and for the exploration and exchange of new musical ideas. With a different thematic focus each year, KLANGSPUREN aims to present a survey of the fascinating, diverse panorama that the music of our time boasts. KLANGSPUREN values open discourse, participation, and partnership and actively seeks encounters with locals as well as visitors from abroad. The entire beautiful region of Tyrol unfolds as the festival’s playground, where the most cutting-edge and modern forms of music as well as many young composers and musicians are presented. On the occasion of its own milestone anniversary – among other anniversaries that KLANGSPUREN SCHWAZ 2018 will be celebrating this year – the 25th edition of the festival has chosen the motto „Festivities. Places.“ (in German: „Feste. Orte.“). The program emphasizes projects and works that focus on aspects of celebrations, festivities, rituals, and events and have a specific reference to place and situation. KLANGSPUREN INTERNATIONAL ENSEMBLE MODERN ACADEMY is celebrating its 15th anniversary. The Academy is an offshoot of the renowned International Ensemble Modern Academy (IEMA) in Frankfurt and was founded in the same year as IEMA, in 2003. The Academy is central to KLANGSPUREN and has developed into one of the most successful projects of the Tyrolean festival for new music. The high standards of the Academy are vouched for by prominent figures who have acted as Composers in Residence: György Kurtág, Helmut Lachenmann, Steve Reich, Benedict Mason, Michael Gielen, Wolfgang Rihm, Martin Matalon, Johannes Maria Staud, Heinz Holliger, George Benjamin, Unsuk Chin, Hans Zender, Hans Abrahamsen, Wolfgang Mitterer, Beat Furrer, Enno Poppe, and most recently in 2017, Sofia Gubaidulina. -
Verdi Week on Operavore Program Details
Verdi Week on Operavore Program Details Listen at WQXR.ORG/OPERAVORE Monday, October, 7, 2013 Rigoletto Duke - Luciano Pavarotti, tenor Rigoletto - Leo Nucci, baritone Gilda - June Anderson, soprano Sparafucile - Nicolai Ghiaurov, bass Maddalena – Shirley Verrett, mezzo Giovanna – Vitalba Mosca, mezzo Count of Ceprano – Natale de Carolis, baritone Count of Ceprano – Carlo de Bortoli, bass The Contessa – Anna Caterina Antonacci, mezzo Marullo – Roberto Scaltriti, baritone Borsa – Piero de Palma, tenor Usher - Orazio Mori, bass Page of the duchess – Marilena Laurenza, mezzo Bologna Community Theater Orchestra Bologna Community Theater Chorus Riccardo Chailly, conductor London 425846 Nabucco Nabucco – Tito Gobbi, baritone Ismaele – Bruno Prevedi, tenor Zaccaria – Carlo Cava, bass Abigaille – Elena Souliotis, soprano Fenena – Dora Carral, mezzo Gran Sacerdote – Giovanni Foiani, baritone Abdallo – Walter Krautler, tenor Anna – Anna d’Auria, soprano Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Vienna State Opera Chorus Lamberto Gardelli, conductor London 001615302 Aida Aida – Leontyne Price, soprano Amneris – Grace Bumbry, mezzo Radames – Placido Domingo, tenor Amonasro – Sherrill Milnes, baritone Ramfis – Ruggero Raimondi, bass-baritone The King of Egypt – Hans Sotin, bass Messenger – Bruce Brewer, tenor High Priestess – Joyce Mathis, soprano London Symphony Orchestra The John Alldis Choir Erich Leinsdorf, conductor RCA Victor Red Seal 39498 Simon Boccanegra Simon Boccanegra – Piero Cappuccilli, baritone Jacopo Fiesco - Paul Plishka, bass Paolo Albiani – Carlos Chausson, bass-baritone Pietro – Alfonso Echevarria, bass Amelia – Anna Tomowa-Sintow, soprano Gabriele Adorno – Jaume Aragall, tenor The Maid – Maria Angels Sarroca, soprano Captain of the Crossbowmen – Antonio Comas Symphony Orchestra of the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona Chorus of the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona Uwe Mund, conductor Recorded live on May 31, 1990 Falstaff Sir John Falstaff – Bryn Terfel, baritone Pistola – Anatoli Kotscherga, bass Bardolfo – Anthony Mee, tenor Dr. -
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Riccardo Muti Zell Music Director Yo-Yo Ma Judson and Joyce Green Creative Consultant
PROGRAM ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-SIXTH SEASON Chicago Symphony Orchestra Riccardo Muti Zell Music Director Yo-Yo Ma Judson and Joyce Green Creative Consultant Friday, October 14, 2016, at 8:00 Tuesday, October 18, 2016, at 7:30 Riccardo Muti Conductor John Sharp Cello Dvořák Husitská Overture, Op. 67 Schumann Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op. 129 Not too fast— Slow— Very lively JOHN SHARP INTERMISSION Hindemith Concert Music for String Orchestra and Brass, Op. 50 Part 1: Moderately fast and with power—Very broad, but always flowing Part 2: Lively—Slow—Lively Mussorgsky, orch. Ravel Pictures from an Exhibition Promenade 1. Gnomus Promenade— 2. The Old Castle Promenade— 3. Tuileries 4. Bydlo Promenade— 5. Ballet of the Chicks in their Shells 6. Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle 7. The Market Place at Limoges 8. Catacombs: Sepulcrum romanum— Promenade: Con mortuis in lingua mortua 9. The Hut on Hen’s Legs (Baba-Yaga)— 10. The Great Gate of Kiev This evening’s performance is generously sponsored by Margot and Josef Lakonishok. CSO Tuesday series concerts are sponsored by United Airlines. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is grateful to WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9 FM for their generous support as media sponsors of the Tuesday series. This program is partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts. COMMENTS by Phillip Huscher Antonín Dvořák Born September 8, 1841; Mühlhausen, Bohemia (now Nelahozeves, Czech Republic) Died May 1, 1904; Prague, Bohemia Husitská Overture, Op. 67 This triumphant music located in the heart of what is today Pilsen, was closed the first concert later established in honor of his visit.) During ever given by the Chicago the exposition, Thomas arranged to send a string Orchestra, on October 16, quartet to the composer’s hotel to read through a 1891. -
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Piano Tamara Stefanovich, Piano
Thursday, March 12, 2015, 8pm Zellerbach Hall Pierre-Laurent Aimard, piano Tamara Stefanovich, piano The Piano Music of Pierre Boulez PROGRAM Pierre Boulez (b. 1925) Notations (1945) I. Fantastique — Modéré II. Très vif III. Assez lent IV. Rythmique V. Doux et improvisé VI. Rapide VII. Hiératique VIII. Modéré jusqu'à très vif IX. Lointain — Calme X. Mécanique et très sec XI. Scintillant XII. Lent — Puissant et âpre Boulez Sonata No. 1 (1946) I. Lent — Beaucoup plus allant II. Assez large — Rapide Boulez Sonata No. 2 (1947–1948) I. Extrêmement rapide II. Lent III. Modéré, presque vif IV. Vif INTERMISSION PLAYBILL PROGRAM Boulez Sonata No. 3 (1955–1957; 1963) Formant 3 Constellation-Miroir Formant 2 Trope Boulez Incises (1994; 2001) Boulez Une page d’éphéméride (2005) Boulez Structures, Deuxième livre (1961) for two pianos, four hands Chapitre I Chapitre II (Pièces 1–2, Encarts 1–4, Textes 1–6) Funded, in part, by the Koret Foundation, this performance is part of Cal Performances’ – Koret Recital Series, which brings world-class artists to our community. This performance is made possible, in part, by Patron Sponsor Françoise Stone. Hamburg Steinway piano provided by Steinway & Sons, San Francisco. Cal Performances’ – season is sponsored by Wells Fargo. CAL PERFORMANCES PROGRAM NOTES THE PROGRAM AT A GLANCE the radical break with tradition that his music supposedly embodies. If Boulez belongs to an Tonight’s program includes the complete avant-garde, it is to a French avant-garde tra - piano music of Pierre Boulez, as well as a per - dition dating back two centuries to Berlioz formance of the second book of Structures for and Delacroix, and his attitudes are deeply two pianos. -
KING FM SEATTLE OPERA CHANNEL Featured Full-Length Operas
KING FM SEATTLE OPERA CHANNEL Featured Full-Length Operas GEORGES BIZET EMI 63633 Carmen Maria Stuarda Paris Opera National Theatre Orchestra; René Bologna Community Theater Orchestra and Duclos Chorus; Jean Pesneaud Childrens Chorus Chorus Georges Prêtre, conductor Richard Bonynge, conductor Maria Callas as Carmen (soprano) Joan Sutherland as Maria Stuarda (soprano) Nicolai Gedda as Don José (tenor) Luciano Pavarotti as Roberto the Earl of Andréa Guiot as Micaëla (soprano) Leicester (tenor) Robert Massard as Escamillo (baritone) Roger Soyer as Giorgio Tolbot (bass) James Morris as Guglielmo Cecil (baritone) EMI 54368 Margreta Elkins as Anna Kennedy (mezzo- GAETANO DONIZETTI soprano) Huguette Tourangeau as Queen Elizabeth Anna Bolena (soprano) London Symphony Orchestra; John Alldis Choir Julius Rudel, conductor DECCA 425 410 Beverly Sills as Anne Boleyn (soprano) Roberto Devereux Paul Plishka as Henry VIII (bass) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Ambrosian Shirley Verrett as Jane Seymour (mezzo- Opera Chorus soprano) Charles Mackerras, conductor Robert Lloyd as Lord Rochefort (bass) Beverly Sills as Queen Elizabeth (soprano) Stuart Burrows as Lord Percy (tenor) Robert Ilosfalvy as roberto Devereux, the Earl of Patricia Kern as Smeaton (contralto) Essex (tenor) Robert Tear as Harvey (tenor) Peter Glossop as the Duke of Nottingham BRILLIANT 93924 (baritone) Beverly Wolff as Sara, the Duchess of Lucia di Lammermoor Nottingham (mezzo-soprano) RIAS Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala Theater Milan DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 465 964 Herbert von -
N E W S R E L E A
N E W S R E L E A S E CONTACT: Katherine Blodgett Vice President of Public Relations and Communications Phone: 215.893.1939 E-mail: [email protected] Jesson Geipel Public Relations Manager FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Phone: 215.893.3136 DATE: October 18, 2012 E-mail: [email protected] YANNICK NÉZET-SÉGUIN’S INAUGURAL SEASON AS MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA BEGINS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012, WITH A GALA CONCERT FEATURING THE INCOMPARABLE RENÉE FLEMING Opening Weeks of Nézet-Séguin’s Tenure to Feature Verdi’s Requiem, His Carnegie Hall Debut, and Concerts with Violinist Joshua Bell (Philadelphia, October 18, 2012)—Yannick Nézet-Séguin officially begins his tenure as The Philadelphia Orchestra’s eighth music director with a gala Opening Concert on October 18, 2012, two weeks of subscription concerts at the Orchestra’s home in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center, and with his Carnegie Hall debut on October 23 in New York City. Nézet-Séguin was named music director designate of the legendary ensemble in 2010. The gala concert, featuring soprano Renée Fleming, includes Ravel’s Shéhérazade, Brahms’s Symphony No. 4, and “Mein Elemer!” from Arabella by Richard Strauss. For the Orchestra’s first subscription series at the Kimmel Center and for his Carnegie Hall debut, Nézet-Séguin has chosen Verdi’s Requiem, featuring soprano Marina Poplavskaya, mezzo-soprano Christine Rice, tenor Rolando Villazón, bass Mikhail Petrenko, and the Westminster Symphonic Choir. Philadelphia Orchestra Association President and CEO Allison Vulgamore said, “This is the launch of a new chapter for The Philadelphia Orchestra. We have been anticipating this moment for what seems a very long time, and the entire organization couldn’t be more thrilled that it is finally upon us. -
BEAT FURRER Phaos (2006) Für Orchester 15'
NEUE MUSIK MUSIK DER ZEIT [3] ALLE GEGEN EINE WDR SINFONIEORCHESTER MICHAEL WENDEBERG SAMSTAG, 11. JANUAR, 20 UHR FUNKHAUS WALLRAFPLATZ, KÖLN MUSIK DER ZEIT [3] ALLE GEGEN EINE SA. 11. JANUAR 2020 19:00 EINFÜHRUNG MIT MARTÓN ILLÉS 20:00 KONZERT FUNKHAUS WALLRAFPLATZ, KÖLN PATRICIA KOPATCHINSKAJA / Violine WDR SINFONIEORCHESTER MICHAEL WENDEBERG / Leitung KORNELIA BITTMANN / Moderation SENDUNG WDR 3 live in stereo und 5.1. surround, ZUM NACHHÖREN IM Video-Livestream WDR 3 KONZERTPLAYER PROGRAMM 3 BEAT FURRER Phaos (2006) für Orchester 15' MÁRTON ILLÉS Vont-tér für Violine und Orchester (2019) Kompositionsauftrag des WDR und des Münchener Kammerorchesters Uraufführung 20' Pause BRUNO MADERNA Stele per Diotima (1966) für Kammerorchester 20' 4 MUSIK DER ZEIT [3] Einer gegen alle. Ein Vogel und ein Vogelschwarm. ALLE GEGEN EINE 5 INDIVIDUUM TRIFFT MASSE Konfrontation oder Konsens? Weiterdenken oder Mitdenken? Aufrütteln oder Einlenken? Sobald sich die Frage nach dem Ver- hältnis des Einzelnen zur Gesellschaft stellt, wird es spannend, dramatisch, vielleicht auch versöhnlich. Manchmal entsteht auch etwas völlig Neues – zum Beispiel, wenn in Beat Furrers »Phaos« Solomotive zu üppigen Klangkomplexen werden, die quirlig und vielfältig, unterbrochen von Pausen, sich in wellenartiges Pulsieren verwandeln, das sich in Wiederholun- gen zu einer gleißenden Woge steigert. Phaos kommt aus dem Griechischen und steht für Licht – in Beat Furrers Lesart wird daraus eine Klangstudie über phosphoreszierende Lichtpartikel und eine Metapher für drohende Katastrophen. Márton Illés lädt die Ausnahmegeigerin Patricia Kopatchinskaja in »Vont-tér« zu einem komplexen Dialog mit dem WDR Sinfonie- orchester und einer gemeinsamen Suche nach neuen instrumen- talen Klängen, Spieltechniken und Ausdrucksmöglichkeiten ein. Im Wechselspiel mit dem Orchester agiert die Sologeige im offe- nen Klangraum, entfernt sich von spieltechnischen Konventionen und findet eigene Spielmöglichkeiten in Márton Illés’ originärer Musiksprache. -
Diana Soh Composer
Diana Soh Composer Described as “a composer to follow” (France Musique), Diana Soh is one of today’s most exciting young artists. A multi- disciplinary Singaporean composer based in Paris, she has written for a wide range of instrumentation from chamber music, to orchestra, dance, film, choral and vocal music, and multi-media site-specific works. Diana’s musical interest is directed at exploring performance interactivity as well as obtaining specific sound colours from the intimate collaboration with performers. Known for integrating the use of technology and interested in theatre, she often surprises her audiences and finds ways to address social issues of our times in her work and “composes the impossible” (Concert Classic). Notable highlights include A is for Aiyah with soprano Elise Chauvin as the soloist, which was premiered in Singapore by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (2018) as well as her string quartet sssh by the Mettis Quartet at the Aix en Provence Festival (2018). Her upcoming seasons see her venturing into the music theatre world with 2 operas: Façon Tragique de Tuer une Femme which will be premiered in 2023, and The Carmen Case the season after. Her adventure in vocal writing continues with a mono-drama for Opera de Lyon and a commission from the Maîtrise de Radio France, Parisce and a solo voice piece titled La Ville-Zizi. In addition, of smaller things will be presented in Austria by Schallfeld Ensemble in 2021 and Of the spaces between by Ensemble Æquilibrium in Singapore in 2022. Since establishing herself in Paris, Diana was Composer-in-Residence for 2 years (2012 / 2013) at the National Centre for Creation - La Muse en Circuit, concluded with a one-hour monographic concert of her works during the 2013 Festival Extension. -
The Classical Station, WCPE 1 Start Runs Composer Title Performerslib # Label Cat
Thu, Jun 18, 2020 - The Classical Station, WCPE 1 Start Runs Composer Title PerformersLIb # Label Cat. # Barcode 00:01:30 11:59 Handel Trio Sonata in F, Op. 2 No. 4 Heinz Holliger Wind 00341 Denon 7026 N/A Ensemble 00:14:2918:00 Brahms Variations on a Theme by Saint Louis 01966 RCA 7920 078635792027 Haydn, Op. 56a Symphony/Slatkin 00:33:29 26:06 Mozart Violin Concerto No. 4 in D, K. Stern/English Chamber 02925 Sony 66475 074646647523 218 Orchestra/Schneider 01:01:0528:17 Chadwick Aphrodite, a symphonic poem Czech State 03308 Reference 2104 030911210427 Philharmonic, Recordings Brno/Serebrier 01:30:2212:50 Rossini Overture to Semiramide Vienna 03679 Seraphim/ 69137 724356913721 Philharmonic/Sargent EMI 01:44:1214:53 Haydn Piano Sonata No. 47 in B minor Emanuel Ax 10100 Sony 53635 074645363523 Classical 02:00:3510:51 Bizet Children's Games, Op. 22 Concertgebouw/Haitink 01008 Philips 416 437 028941643728 (Jeux d'enfants) 02:12:2612:02 Wagner Die Meistersinger: Selections Chicago 05288 BMG 63301 090266330126 (for orchestra) Symphony/Reiner 02:25:2833:21 Medtner Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Tozer/London 02666 Chandos 9039 095115903926 minor, Op. 33 Philharmonic/Jarvi 03:00:1910:51 Schumann Fantasy Pieces, Op. 73 du Pre/Moore 09531 EMI 65955 724356595521 03:12:1031:22 Mendelssohn String Quintet No. 1 in A, Op. L'Archibudelli 05537 Sony 60766 074646076620 18 Classical 03:44:32 13:38 Carpenter Sea Drift Indianapolis 08678 Decca 458 157 028945845725 Symphony/Leppard 03:59:4017:01 Tubin Suite on Estonian Dances Lubotsky/Gothenburg 01654 BIS 286 N/A Symphony/Jarvi 04:17:41 02:56 Halvorsen Valse caprice Trondheim 01943 Aurora 1921 702626219212 Symphony/Ruud 6 04:21:3738:22 Beethoven Piano Concerto No. -
Juilliard Percussion Ensemble Daniel Druckman , Director Daniel Parker and Christopher Staknys , Piano Zlatomir Fung , Cello
Monday Evening, December 11, 2017, at 7:30 The Juilliard School presents Juilliard Percussion Ensemble Daniel Druckman , Director Daniel Parker and Christopher Staknys , Piano Zlatomir Fung , Cello Bell and Drum: Percussion Music From China GUO WENJING (b. 1956) Parade (2003) SAE HASHIMOTO EVAN SADDLER DAVID YOON ZHOU LONG (b. 1953) Wu Ji (2006) CHRISTOPHER STAKNYS, Piano BENJAMIN CORNOVACA LEO SIMON LEI LIANG (b. 1972) Inkscape (2014) DANIEL PARKER, Piano TYLER CUNNINGHAM JAKE DARNELL OMAR EL-ABIDIN EUIJIN JUNG Intermission The taking of photographs and the use of recording equipment are not permitted in this auditorium. Information regarding gifts to the school may be obtained from the Juilliard School Development Office, 60 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-6588; (212) 799-5000, ext. 278 (juilliard.edu/giving). Alice Tully Hall Please make certain that all electronic devices are turned off during the performance. CHOU WEN-CHUNG (b. 1923) Echoes From the Gorge (1989) Prelude: Exploring the modes Raindrops on Bamboo Leaves Echoes From the Gorge, Resonant and Free Autumn Pond Clear Moon Shadows in the Ravine Old Tree by the Cold Spring Sonorous Stones Droplets Down the Rocks Drifting Clouds Rolling Pearls Peaks and Cascades Falling Rocks and Flying Spray JOSEPH BRICKER TAYLOR HAMPTON HARRISON HONOR JOHN MARTIN THENELL TAN DUN (b. 1957) Elegy: Snow in June (1991) ZLATOMIR FUNG, Cello OMAR EL-ABIDIN BENJAMIN CORNOVACA TOBY GRACE LEO SIMON Performance time: Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, including one intermission Notes on the Program Scored for six Beijing opera gongs laid flat on a table, Parade is an exhilarating work by Jay Goodwin that amazes both with its sheer difficulty to perform and with the incredible array of dif - “In studying non-Western music, one ferent sounds that can be coaxed from must consider the character and tradition what would seem to be a monochromatic of its culture as well as all the inherent selection of instruments. -
The Blake Collection in Memory of Nancy M
The Blake Collection In Memory of Nancy M. Blake BELLINI’S NORMA featuring CECILIA BARTOLI This tragic opera is set in Roman-occupied, first-century Gaul, features a title character, who although a Druid priestess, is in many ways a modern woman. Norma has secretly taken the Roman proconsul Pollione as her lover and had two children with him. Political and personal crises arise when the locals turn against the occupiers and Pollione turns to a new paramour. Norma “is a role with emotions ranging from haughty and demanding, to desperately passionate, to vengeful and defiant. And the singer must convey all of this while confronting some of the most vocally challenging music ever composed. And if that weren't intimidating enough for any singer, Norma and its composer have become almost synonymous with the specific and notoriously torturous style of opera known as bel canto — literally, ‘beautiful singing’” (“Love Among the Druids: Bellini's Norma,” NPR World of Opera, May 16, 2008). And Bartoli, one of the greatest living opera divas, is up to the challenges the role brings. (New York Public Radio’s WQXR’s “OperaVore” declared that “Bartoli is Fierce and Mercurial in Bellini's Norma,” Marion Lignana Rosenberg, June 09, 2013.) If you’re already a fan of this opera, you’ve no doubt heard a recording spotlighting the great soprano Maria Callas (and we have such a recording, too), but as the notes with the Bartoli recording point out, “The role of Norma was written for Giuditta Pasta, who sang what today’s listeners would consider to be mezzo-soprano roles,” making Bartoli more appropriate than Callas as Norma.