Bellini: Norma

It's tempting to claim that "Callas says it all," but that wouldn't be true. We don't have to explain that Maria Callas is a legend and sells millions of CDs with her name alone; we may need to remind that sometimes she is the only great singer in a cast—though not this time. The rest of the singers here are major artists too, with a great conductor, second only to Toscanini among Italian opera conductors, making this Norma extra-extra great.

Newly designed packaging, including complete libretto, in a fresh new translation, with a special essay on the performance by Robert Levine. Live performance, June 29, 1955.