If you are looking for something wonderful, you came to the right place. Today we’re listening to “Casta diva” from Act I of the Italian opera Norma by Vincenzo Bellini. I think this aria defines the bel canto style of composing and singing, which include:
Today's bel canto offerings have been my lifeline to a place of peace, calm and beauty. Listening to "Casta Diva" as sung by those three divine goddesses - Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland and Renée Fleming - was like having three precious jewels in hand. Each interpretation had its own unique beauty and cachet. "Mira, O Norma" with Sutherland and Marilyn Horne was so enchanting. I'm tempted, but I won't yet call it my favorite duet ever - especially with so many great operas yet to be discovered. One sign of my favor, however, is that I wandered off in search of other performances and discovered this one by Shirley Verrett and Grace Bumbry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0BTSvZuj0Y). This link became the perfect virtual gift for one of my longtime friends, who celebrated her birthday today. Today's daily was so rich in music, terminology and interviews that I will be spending some time with it until the next treat arrives on Wednesday. You are drawing us all in deeper. Could a trip to La Scala be in the works someday after the pandemic ends, or am I just dreaming!?! :-) Thank you, Michele.
They were NORMA on many profound levels like Fire and Ice as singers both.
Mutually exclusive but also brilliant still a generation later. Bravi Maria, Joan with Marilyn.
Today's bel canto offerings have been my lifeline to a place of peace, calm and beauty. Listening to "Casta Diva" as sung by those three divine goddesses - Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland and Renée Fleming - was like having three precious jewels in hand. Each interpretation had its own unique beauty and cachet. "Mira, O Norma" with Sutherland and Marilyn Horne was so enchanting. I'm tempted, but I won't yet call it my favorite duet ever - especially with so many great operas yet to be discovered. One sign of my favor, however, is that I wandered off in search of other performances and discovered this one by Shirley Verrett and Grace Bumbry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0BTSvZuj0Y). This link became the perfect virtual gift for one of my longtime friends, who celebrated her birthday today. Today's daily was so rich in music, terminology and interviews that I will be spending some time with it until the next treat arrives on Wednesday. You are drawing us all in deeper. Could a trip to La Scala be in the works someday after the pandemic ends, or am I just dreaming!?! :-) Thank you, Michele.
Beautiful - so uplifting