Joan Sutherland - Ah! bello a me ritorna (age comparison)

[@highbaritone]

I first worked with her in 1972 and had not heard her before. Fell in love with the voice. I then bought an early recording and perfected her 70’s sound. Again personal. Not to mention her trill at any age.

[@OperaMyWorld]

Legendary at any age!!!!

[@chembaliszt484]

La Stupenda indeed!

[@crazyorganist1609]

Shows the results of a properly maintained voice and technique

[@fabriziofabri2775]

I'm not discussing the voice or the technical skills, because I could not, but as Italian I have to say that she had a much clearer diction in her prime. And I really do adore her bright voice, at the beginning of her career 😍

[@chembaliszt484]

I agree about her diction. However, I like her voice in every period of her career, but the differences are notable!

[@fabriziofabri2775]

@@chembaliszt484 I like her voice in every period as well. And I like "darker" sopranos' voices: in the late years her voice probably fitted better to the role of Norma, but her young voice really enchats me. Just personal taste

[@aprendizercomygor]

As a whole (not including just this cabaletta, one of the few brighter and lighter moments in Norma), her 1972 performance is my favorite among her numerous recorded Norma performances. She was particularly alert dramatically and musically, and the voice had gained a mature but not yet aged tone, and a thicker and darker color that conveyed much authority.

[@CarlosHernandez-vv6bx]

San Francisco? To me, her best rendition of Norma.

[@eduardobraivein8496]

Incredible at any stage! (and I'm not a fan of hers!). How many sopranos can sing NORMA at 63 the way Sutherland did?

[@alwaysnew189]

I love additional ornaments in 2nda volta! 😅

[@liedersanger1]

It would be nice to have details of each performance. Year, venue, cond, etc.

[@chembaliszt484]

I will write the info in description!

[@eduardobraivein8496]

ChembaLiszt I don't know the first version but the second is from San Francisco, 1972, and the third from Detroit, 1989 (last NORMA of her career if I'm not mistaken). Correct?

[@chembaliszt484]

You are correct. First one is studio recording with Molinari-Pradelli (1960)

[@eduardobraivein8496]

ChembaLiszt "The Art of the Prima Donna."

[@liedersanger1]

Thank you!

[@Tkimba2]

You didn't include the 1959 broadcast

[@chembaliszt484]

I didn't include many examples... I picked these "random" examples just for comparison.