[Jermaine]

Someone forgot to tell her that...............

I think she did a phenomenal job. I don't get the higher than thou comments on Youtube and here about her performance as Norma.

I think people are just outraged that a mezzo would dare attempt a role that people have traditionally deemed to be reserved for a Soprano voice. Yet, it wasn't written for one. Frankly, I think it's either jealous, hate, or outright ignorance, or worse, all of these things combined.

Not pointing any finger.​

 

[Jermaine]

That whole production lacks weight.

Says who? You?... Okay, we'll run with it...

Bartoli's Norma is currently being praised. Just reading the reviews from the recent performances at Edinburg, I'd say your comment lacks weight...​

 

[Jermaine]

the problem with Bartoli's Norma is not that she is a mezzo (Verrett is among my favorite Normas, and my favorite two are Callas and Marisa Galvany, both of whom have chest voices like mezzos), it's that the voice doesn't have the weight necessary to do the role justice

I like this comment and I wholeheartedly agree with you. Bartoli's version is not as searing as other divas, but I like it for the beauty and intimacy of her rendition. It's dramatic when it needs to be and balanced at other points. I have listened to the entire opera on CD and I think she did a beautiful job. Personally, I think they all have some fault, save Cabelle (I think she has the most astute version). I have not heard Sutherland's take. I have listened to Callas and as much as I respect her, I don't like the tone of her voice in Norma. She sounds like an old woman wailing. But where Callas lacks beauty, in my opinion, she makes up for it in volume and drama.

I have not actually seen any of them live, so this is just based on CD. Anyways, I respect everyone's opinion, and I am here to learn and discuss. Most people here are pleasant, others seem to have a false sense of entitlement. At the end of the day, the objectivity is all mathematical ratios and time splices. Your perception of performer's execution is just that... Yours...​

 

[Jermaine]

Is that indeed what you would say? It would be better to say why you think the recording featuring Bartoli does the opera justice. Who cares about some reviewer in Edinburgh?

I wrote it above. I don't wish to go back and forth with you. Let's agree to disagree. ​

 

[Jermaine]

It's odd that in this post you assure us that you "respect everyone's opinion," when in the previous post you state, without giving any reason (except for citing some unnamed critic in Edinburgh), that my comment on Bartoli's Norma recording "lacks weight." Would it surprise you that I find that somewhat insulting? Perhaps I'm one of those "people here" to whom you attribute a "false sense of entitlement," and you feel that this entitles you to be less than polite to me.

I have been here for over two years and I do not notice any contributors to the opera forum exhibiting a sense of "entitlement." Though we have disagreements I think we are generally quite civil in expressing them. Seeing that you're new here, I wonder why you already feel the need to remind current members that their opinions are theirs alone. In my experience, we rarely need to go on the defensive unless others perceive us going on the offensive first.

Welcome to the forum. Let's look forward to discussions vigorous and fruitful - and respectful.

I apologize if I offended you. No you are not one of the posters to whom I made that reference. Actually I enjoy your posts. I find them very informative and helpful in terms of explaining technical things that I don't understand.
I do respect everyone's opinions. I've said this several times before that I am here to learn as much as I can about opera as it has become my favorite genre in the past year. I am not here to defend or worship any particular artists; only to interact and learn from other opera and classical music fans.

I look forward to moving forward as well.
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