It's hard to believe that there have not been any comments in the almost 20 months since this was uploaded. This appears to be the Met performance with an astonishing duet with Sondra Radvanovsky and Joseph Calleja. I watched about ten versions of this poignant duet from the last act. It is the only one in which the emotions of the conflicted lovers are depicted in a realistic manner. For example, in some productions, Pollione is not even looking at Norma when he asks for forgiveness. He is often singing to the audience, not to Norma. In some productions, Norma is more aloof, concentrating more on the music than the drama. I feel this performance rivals the best of Callas in terms of the acting and the psychological state of the parents who are about to die. Norma is a lover and mother, not a priestess. However, Pollione's heart has been moved by her nobility. The acting here is as good as the voices so it deserves more views and thumbs up!
@ahimsainternational I agree 100 %. I also saw productions where Norma and Pollione are standing alone and singing alone. Looking at the audience. Which to me doesn't make any sense at all. As you said - singing and acting here are sublime, touching and convincing. But Sondra Radvanovsky and Joseph Calleja are always a perfect match. I am looking forward very much to their Tosca in Barcelona. And yes this is the Met production. And the whole production is worth watching if only on video. Just great.
Totalement d'accord, les deux sont fantastiques
It's hard to believe that there have not been any comments in the almost 20 months since this was uploaded. This appears to be the Met performance with an astonishing duet with Sondra Radvanovsky and Joseph Calleja. I watched about ten versions of this poignant duet from the last act. It is the only one in which the emotions of the conflicted lovers are depicted in a realistic manner. For example, in some productions, Pollione is not even looking at Norma when he asks for forgiveness. He is often singing to the audience, not to Norma. In some productions, Norma is more aloof, concentrating more on the music than the drama. I feel this performance rivals the best of Callas in terms of the acting and the psychological state of the parents who are about to die. Norma is a lover and mother, not a priestess. However, Pollione's heart has been moved by her nobility. The acting here is as good as the voices so it deserves more views and thumbs up!
Oh heavens what beautiful singing. This woman has stolen my heart ❤️ completely . The tenor is fabulous too.
@ahimsainternational
I agree 100 %. I also saw productions where Norma and Pollione are standing alone and singing alone. Looking at the audience. Which to me doesn't make any sense at all. As you said - singing and acting here are sublime, touching and convincing.
But Sondra Radvanovsky and Joseph Calleja are always a perfect match. I am looking forward very much to their Tosca in Barcelona.
And yes this is the Met production. And the whole production is worth watching if only on video. Just great.