Bellini: Norma (DVD) - Sonya Yoncheva

Bellini's Norma is without doubt one of the most popular operas of the golden era of bel canto. With Sonya Yoncheva and Joseph Calleja, two absolute world stars came together at the Royal Opera to give an inspiring performance under the direction of the reference conductor for Italian opera par excellence, Sir Antonio Pappano. The press particularly praised the Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja, who, according to "The Independent", has never sounded better than on this evening, of which this outstanding recording bears witness. Incidentally, the choreography at the Royal Opera was by none other than Àlex Ollé, one of the six members of the internationally acclaimed artists' collective La Fura dels Baus. All this guarantees top-class musical theater! Star soprano Sonya Yoncheva sings the powerful role of Bellini's Norma - a priestess caught between love and duty - in a timeless story of love and betrayal, in a fanatical religious and war-torn modern society. Àlex Ollé's spectacular production for the Royal Opera also stars Joseph Calleja as Norma's former lover Pollione, leader of the forces occupying her country, Brindley Sherratt as her domineering father Oroveso and Sonia Ganassi plays and sings Adalgisa, her greatest friend and unwitting rival in love. Royal Opera Music Director Antonio Pappano leads this stellar cast, the Royal Opera Chorus and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House in one of the greatest works of bel canto.