The reigning queen of bel canto, Edita Gruberova has laid the cornerstone
for a new "Norma" legend in her first stage performance of this virtuoso
role. The premiere of Vincenzo Bellini's opera at the Bavarian State Opera
in Munich marked a resounding new triumph in the singer's career. Sharing
the stage with Gruberova were Zoran Todorovich, Roberto Scandiuzzi, Sonia
Ganassi and other renowned soloists, along with the chorus of the Bavarian
State Opera. Friedrich Haider conducted the production directed by Jürgen
Rose. Emmy Award winner Brian Large directed the HDTV recording made in
late January and early February 2006.
Edita Gruberova fulfilled all expectations. And in view of her great
predecessors Callas, Caballé and Sutherland, these expectations were
clearly very high. The expressive intensity of the one, the velvet timbre
of the other, the brilliance of the third - Gruberova united all the
strengths of the prima donnas of the past in her interpretation of a Norma
that has already become a new high point in the history of this role.
Gruberova captures her audiences not only through her stupendous technique,
but also through her command of an incredibly large palette of subtle
nuances. With her voice alone, she infuses her role with a rich spectrum of
feelings and emotions. She makes the crushing tragedy of Norma palpably
credible.
Unitel offers eight operas starring the Slovakian-born soprano, including
Mozart's Così fan tutte, Die Entführung aus dem Serail and Die Zauberflöte,
as well as Verdi's Rigoletto. Unitel and Classica have also recorded
another bel canto favorite with Edita Gruberova from the Bavarian State
Opera, Gaetano Donizetti's Roberto Devereux.
