Maria Callas - Fiorenza Cossotto - Mira o Norma - Norma - Live in PARIS 1965 - Her Last Norma!

Paris, Théâtre National de l'Opéra 29 mai 1965/ May 29, 1965
The announcement says:
" Ladies and Gentlemen, since the beginning of this performance, Madam Maria Callas had to surmount an illness and an important depression.
Regrettably, in spite of her exceptional courage for which we thank her, and care of her doctor, she's in a absolute impossibility to finish this performance.
She's profoundly sorry, and we ask you with us, to excuse her!"
(This document is a moving testimony for the Callas's fans, it isn't a release for the diva's detractors!)

[@Ernie1]

I am NOT, nor have I ever been, a Cossotto fan. However, Cossotto sings admirably with Callas, who was obviously not at her strongest. I think that the singing (with the exception of a couple of unsteady notes from Callas) is overall quite lovely from both. I don't hear any evidence of trying to "outsing" Callas. I am so surprised, though, that Pretre took the duet at such a slow tempo considering Callas' diminished vocal capacity. What a testament to Callas' artistry and musicality. To both, actually.

[@ransomcoates546]

I just read a funny interview with Cossotto where she says, ‘It’s been 50 years and people still repeat that nonsense about Callas and me in Norma.’

[@vanzofaust]

Cossotto is clearly following Callas and certainly not trying to drown her out. Both women were honest, consummate artists,not like half-trained, unprepared "singers" churning their supposed voices nowadays.

[@123pailin]

The Callas haters thaught then that she would be forgotten and become a footnote in opera history. How wrong they were! Her star shines brighter than ever....So sad...She had to cope with pressures no other opera singer was ever exposed to. It took a disastrous toll on her. But now in 2015 we still marvel and she is still up there, the unrivalled primadonna assoluta .....Callas. La Divina, she deserves no less a title!!!

[@12341234W1]

123pailin, well said !

[@debbiejohnson2789]

I don’t think there were many so called Callas haters. What a great star she was!

[@sergiosqueffbarcelos7442]

I truly believe this is the greatest performance of the famous duet "Mira o Norma" ever! Callas express with her voice Norma's end of her way in a most beautiful and sublime phrasing and command of the melodic line. While other singers from the past and the present only do a primary "solfeggio" of this music, Callas puts it to truly musical and artistic meanings and reaches unusual heights of Art! We must thank endlessly whoever recorded this performance, for without it we would never know what this duet Mira o Norma could be in the hands of a unique artist.. "La cantilena desesperée" of Norma never was so moving, so beautifully, expressively and artistically done as here. This is a true Master singing and this is Art at its extremely high level!

[@giuseppefrancesconi5620]

Sergio Squeff Barcelos - da giuseppe callassiano in Eterno. Quello che ha lasciato maria callas nel mondo della lirica rimarra' in superato per sempre. O

[@Jeanne90275]

I have this recording and I never felt that Maria sounded bad...just weak due to illness. Cossotto doesn't drown out Maria; it's Petre's orchestra that blasted away in this and in the previous arias. Interesting that Cossotto was the one to take the blame, even after all these years, for 'destroying' Maria's last 'Norma.' Cossotto is my favorite mezzo...the quality of her voice, not necessarily the person, and I don't fault her here.

[@JimNickoloffMiami]

Cossotto may be your favorite but she cannot possibly be compared to Giulietta Simionato, especially in terms of intelligence and ability to express a character's feelings.

[@12341234W1]

Jeanne, I completely agree with you.

[@SymphonyBrahms]

@@JimNickoloffMiami Simionato was one of the great mezzo sopranos. Cossotto cannot compare to her.

[@MrQbenDanny]

Bravo! Bravissimo! No Roman Colosseum duel here but stunning beautiful singing. Maria doesn't sound in distress, but what really happened, only her immediate circle knows for sure. Nasty rumors are less about the artists and more about rabid Opera Queens. Thanks for the post and the gorgeous photos of both artists.

[@ioSonoCallas]

You don't have to judge the immense artist whom was Callas on a single performance! This representation was the last but one of her career and she was very sick! Of course Cossotto is a great artist and Callas approved it! If so many million people loved and still love Maria Callas it's not for nothing! To each his own, one can not love everybody but everybody has to be allowed the respect!

[@terryhenson3350]

Everyone interested in this should listen to Cossotto's interview where she explained it all regarding that bogus feud. It's too long to re tell, but try to find it. I think I saw it here on KZbin. These 2 parted as friends and Maria thanked Cossotto. In short Cossotto was helping Callas out because Callas asked her to. Watch the interview.

[@danawinsor1380]

I think you're right. I have heard that interview and I think Cossoto was a real professional and spoke convincingly. She obviously admired Callas.

[@ransomcoates546]

Coss. sings much darker than usual so as not to blow Maria away. Very kind, I think,

[@siglinde86]

Grande, inmensamente grande por donde se la mire, Maria Callas siempre vivirá en el recuerdo de los que somos demasiado jóvenes para recordarla en vivo, el legado que dejó es inmenso, indudablemente un antes y un después en la ópera, la única y verdadera prima donna que conoció el mundo y en lo que a mi respecta .... conocerá...

[@robertpalmer1435]

Well, I saw Simionato with Callas in her American debut as Norma ad the were both fabulous. I think the microphone placement here accentuated the orchestra and probably in a live performance didn't dominate as much.

[@terryhenson3350]

Oh Robert, you were so lucky and smart to have seen Callas and Simionato!! What a treasure for you!!

[@Tenortalker]

I am heartbroken for Callas here, she moves me beyond words and we can empathise with her unhappy situation. However this recording does not bear out the cruel and false accusations that Cossotto has had to carry for most of her career. There are several Callas books which repeat the story of Cossotto trying to outsing Callas , suggesting she was a bad colleague etc. I hope that now this recording can be listened to on you tube those who would still accuse this great mezzo will take note of how wrong that story was.

[@debbiejohnson2789]

Indeed!

[@swearty203]

I really don't know why Cossotto got so much crap from the media for this performance. She is obviously holding back a lot to keep up with frail Maria. Just listen to her 'Mira o Norma' duet with Gencer in the same year. The difference is huge. This would have been an amazing performance if Callas' voice was a decade younger, instead it is quite painful to listen to..

[@jeanfourneau4350]

+swearty203 I really do not understand why G Prêtre , who was supposed to be a friend of Callas did conduct the orchestra as if for deaf people , while he should have supported Callas ' very frail voice instead f of drowning her in such barbarian sounds ??

[@ioSonoCallas]

@vanzofaust Oui, je suis d'accord avec vous! J'avais lu tellement de critiques acerbes sur le compte de cette malheureuse Fiorenza Cossotto à propos de son Adalgisa face à Callas que quand j'ai entendu cet enregistrement pour la première fois il y a une trentaine d'années, j'ai été fort étonné car je n'entendais rien de ce que j'avais lu dans les comptes-rendus de cette représentation. Tout comme vous j'entend effectivement une très bonne collègue.

[@kgarmaker123]

@Orfeus80 And frankly , when Callas even in this performance felt comfortable with the music and her voice she sang out, and her voice was quite resonant. When she was worried about the high notes, she sang softly.. and the result was that her voice sounded weak, for instance have you heard the In mia man duet>? She sounds fine on it.

[@ziranchen4794]

Cossotto is an amazing mezzo soprano，her chest voice is unique

[@ioSonoCallas]

Callas accused nobody, it's the press which spoke about it!

[@историиизпрошлого]

Каллас , достойнейшая певица , женщина всех времён и народов, создавшая о себе , благодаря феноменальному труду в мире музыке, пения и оперы -- ГЕНИАЛЬНОСТЬиФЕНОМЕН, доказавшей полную независимость ни от кого и не для кого-то ни было-Grande rispetto!!!👍🥰😘🌿🌹🌹👏👏👏💕❤️❤️🌿❤🎉🎉

[@Tenorbravo]

Maria Callas always original, unique and magnifique. It is one of the best, I have ever heard! Gorgeous voices . their voices are to die for!!! awesome performance ****It is Sad....... perfection like this is no longer available!

[@ioSonoCallas]

@Matt75003 The biggest regret of Berganza is to have said "no" when him suggested singing Adalgisa with Callas. In an interview Berganza said about this refusal: " I knew that I was capable of singing Aldagisa with Maria Callas, but I say "NO", today I regret, it's a very big pain for me "!!!

[@Anduril919]

Cossotto tamped down her singing...she is right. It is all gossip. Listen to how she let it rip with Sutherland, Gencer and even Caballe and you tell me that she didn't hold back with Callas.

[@melisg6254]

This wasn’t Cossotto’s fault. Lol don’t lose your voice then!

[@antoniomartinazzo5847]

Cossotto really tried her best to support Callas.

[@callasiana8335]

Cossotto also denied all the accusations in a radio interview broadcast in 1997; here is the video I made WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGisY2Z3oNJ8rc0

[@vanzofaust]

@ioSonoCallas Cossotto is being a good colleague and good musician. She is following Callas and definitely helping where she can.

[@solvejpeint]

C'est surtout qu'on a l'impression que Cossotto ne chante pas la même musique...Je me souviens de cette annonce, comme si c'était hier...Nous n'avions pas été surpris vraiment, car on voyait bien que Maria n'était pas bien. D'ailleurs, là, alors que souvent, elle était "contestée" ( quand on y pense ! Mais oui, il y avait des gens qui sifflaient Maria Callas, incroyable ! Sans doute les parents de ceux qui applaudissent maintenant comme des fous n'importe quelle chèvre) ce soir là, tout le monde a applaudi et est parti tristement, y compris le Shah d'Iran et Farah Dibah, que j'ai croisés dans l'escalier..

[@margarethama45]

J'y étais et l'ambiance était telle que vous le commentiez !

[@spyridonroumeliotis7831]

We have to take under our estimations, before we proceed with accusing one or another, that this night was a quite unique night, maybe the most thrilling night of the opera history! Callas was beyond many many limits and therefore for the whole opera system (the orchestra, the conductor, the mezzo e.t.c.) was very difficult to cooperate not only because they had to keep up with callas’s rhythm which I can assume that it was very difficult in many ways, but also because they were live observers of the most tragic night of Maria’s life (both for her physical condition and her psychological state of mind). The poor Maria was devastated by Onassis and by the fact that her mythological voice was giving up on her while simultaneously she was pushing herself to be The Ultimate Norma -the role in which she was embodying her whole existence- for another one occasion (eventually her last one)... I think that this video is part of a miracle 😢

[@Tenorbravo]

Magnifique interprepation .

[@gustopheles]

They held hands during the duets. To indicate one was out of breath, she would squeeze the hand of the other. By Ziffirelli's account of this production, Cosotto sang past Callas' signal to sustain longer high notes.

[@123pailin]

The story with Cossotto trying to outsing the great Callas was colleague s gossip. Giulietta Simionato set up that legend in order to sabotage Fiorenza Cossotto who was her biggest rival . Cossotto does not even try to overpower Callas who is not in good shape. She is actually very supportive, reducing the sound of her voice. Callas is very weak and in distress....still giving a wonderful performance....so sad it was her end....

[@Wotan123456789]

Sorry but that is not correct. Simionato had little, or nothing to do with Cossotto. By 1965 Simionato had decided to retire (which actually happened a couple of months later) and was the leading mezzo in La Scala and the rest of the World (Stignani had retired by then, Barbieri lost all her top and Nicolai was around but ecliped buy GS). Simionato had left Paris by that time due to other engagements. I am not saying that Cossotto was unkind to Callas (which I think he was), I am just saying that, if there a feud, it was more likely created by Zeffirelli and the attendees at Opera Paris than Simionato.

[@debbiejohnson2789]

I don’t see how Cossotto was a rival with Simionato being as Simionato was so much older and in an earlier era. More bunk to the story,

[@bodiloto]

la Cossotto in questi anni aveva una bellissima voce ! brava !

[@Tenorbravo]

A Force of Nature! Magnificent! ORIGINAL AND UNIQUE.Absolutely pleasant. A delight to my sould and ears. You have a beautiful Channel.

[@sukrame5331]

wonderful performance! It's obvious why Callas her self chose to sing with Cossotto. Apart from her marvelous voice her exeptional musicality makes her an ideal partner. All the slander about Cossotto willingly trying to outsing Callas is nonsense. It would not only have sabotaged Callas, but the entire performance. It is only stupid accusations and never came from Callas her self.

[@Jeanne90275]

I've listened to this CD many times and, quite frankly, I don't think Cossotto was trying to sabotage Callas. Cossotto was ambitious and the last thing she would have wanted to do was alienate Maria Callas, who WAS opera at that time. It simply would not have been in her own self-interest. She had no way of knowing Callas' career was almost over, although I think Callas knew. She was her own worst critic. How tragic to have her voice desert her just as her personal life was unraveling.

[@jamesnickoloff6692]

It's very likely that there is a connection between the two (voice and personal life).

[@ioSonoCallas]

Vielen Dank!

[@Matt75003]

Even at this late stage, Callas was incapable of giving an indifferent performance of Norma. Her singing may be hit-and-miss, but she handles the music with loving care, and the result is highly touching. Imho, the problem with Cossotto is not that her voice is too loud, but that it does not blend convincingly with Callas's-it is too steely and her singing lacks subtlelty. Berganza would have been a far more suitable partner.

[@kbhprinsesse]

Or Sciutti.

[@sopranosd]

Bravo. Bien dit.

[@Orfeus80]

what a load of BS. Cossotto is serving the composer and hired to sing, not whisper. In fact she's helping Maria but she still has to sing. The audience doesn't need 2 singers singing badly.

[@ioSonoCallas]

Tout ce dialogue est très stupide. Certains aiment et d'autres n'aiment pas, mais il n'est pas nécéssaire d'être insultant! Ce que disent les détracteurs de Maria Callas a toujours alimenté sa gloire! Les grands artistes ne sont pas des dieux invincibles, ils sont humains et ils ont le droit d'être malades et respectés!!! Il n'y avait aucune rivalité entre les deux divas, c'est comme toujours une invention de la presse!

[@baritonebynight]

Queen.

[@kgarmaker123]

WEll, at least in 1965 you are right... Callas was out of shape, stopped singing, which ... had devastating effects on her voice, But trust me, from 1957 through 1960,cAllas set so many standards, that singers never could equal, again.

[@SymphonyBrahms]

Actually 1955 to 1960 were great years for Callas.

[@Orfeus80]

but again, I don't hear Cossotto competing, she just sings her part and in some parts Cossotto actually tones down her voice. Callas just can't keep up. What was she supposed to do, whisper too throughout the performance? As for Callas' nice (to those who didn't pose threats) and nasty (to those who did) behaviour, it's well documented. But that's part of her exciting personality that her fans adore..

[@martinsubway5953]

Orfeus80 bravo!!!!! That gosip is a big lie!!!! You describe the situation excellent!!!!

[@nielrishoi8156]

Ironically: Cossotto is the best Adalgisa Callas ever had!

[@kbhprinsesse]

@@martinsubway5953 If it's a big lie, why ha Zeffirelli gone on record saying that he went backstage and swore never to work with her again?

[@kbhprinsesse]

@@nielrishoi8156 no, that was Simionato.

[@martinsubway5953]

@@kbhprinsesse yes, Giulietta!!!!!❤

[@aiolosgr]

It is obvious that Maria's voice has declined too much in this performance. I think the accusations against Fiorenza Cossotto were totally wrong and this recording is a proof. In the book of Arianna Stassinopoulos, she claimed that in this performance Cossotto lasted her notes seconds after Maria had finished hers. It even wrote that Zefirelli was so infuriated by Cossotto, that he didn''t have any cooperation with her in the future. Cossotto is undoubtedly one of the best Mezzos of the 20th century. Her Amneris for me is unbeatable.

[@tjhiemursiddjiwatman2732]

Yes, ms Cossotto is Amneris. So amazing....

[@robert13007]

So sad....

[@martinsubway5953]

The only true is that an opera is sung by many people who follow a rythm, a tempo, and nobody can escape from that tempo, otherwise it would be ridicoulous!!! I feel so sorry for Fiorenza, because she was on her international carreer and someone invented that insane gosip, and the only looser was her!!!! Someone destroyed her reputation without a reason!!! Maria Callas was, is and will be forever the Divina, the Queen of Opera. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@caspiman]

Unfortunately "absolutely everything she had" that night was not too much. Only deaf or fanatics can argue about it. You're welcome to join any. :)

[@alexandersporykhine]

SHE shouldn't sing like in Rome. But trees die standing! Los Arboles mueren de pie!

[@brunobalzano7566]

Infinita tenerezza. Infinita bellezza.

[@gustopheles]

This is not Maria Stuarda, and it is not Aida - there is no reason for the two sopranos of this role to fence vocally. It is in poor taste. Cossotto need neither sing badly nor quietly, but respectfully. And, by all means, list one account of Callas being unfriendly to a colleague. One.

[@nedimhasanagic5053]

Niko nije više puta pevao Normu od Radmile Bakočević to je njena velika rola,pevana više od 550puta.Skala se podrazumeva 1972godine je imala svoju premjeru Norme u Milanu Hristos Voskrese,6.4.2018

[@daniel_5606]

después de terminar esa canción, callas fue llevada al hospital

[@gustopheles]

Go on, comment as much as you like so that people can vote your comments down to oblivion again.

[@Antonio-qm3bi]

Non so molto sul successo "Callas-Cossotto"? Mi potete spiegare per piacere?

[@ioSonoCallas]

Callas era alla fine della sua carriera e stava avendo grandi difficoltà vocali e fisiche (aveva malattie cardiache). Cossotto era nei primi anni della sua carriera e non aveva difficoltà. Come sempre, la stampa ha voluto contrapporre la Callas "caduta" al "trionfante" Cossotto! A quel tempo le registrazioni dal vivo non circolavano e il pubblico che non assisteva a queste esibizioni poteva solo credere la stampa. Ascoltare questa registrazione significa l'esatto contrario di quanto riportato dalla stampa dell'epoca. La giovane Cossotto stava facendo del suo meglio per sostenere Callas, non dava tutta la potenza della sua voce.

[@Antonio-qm3bi]

@@ioSonoCallas Grazie! Ora capisco. Quindi la cattiva reputazione e l'antipatia che alcuni hanno per Fiorenza è ingiustificata ... Si può leggere nei commenti dei video di Cossotto "Strega, la peggior cantante e con il peggior cuore". Penso di aver letto che la chiamano Cruella DeVil

[@ioSonoCallas]

@@Antonio-qm3bi Purtroppo sì, la povera Fiorenza Cossotto è una vittima e tutta questa animosità per lei è ingiusta!

[@SilfredoSerrano]

Why is this a half step down?

[@ioSonoCallas]

For the comfort of the reduced vocal means of Maria Callas!

[@ИванБорискин-ф3к]

Каллас сопрано, а Коссото меццо-сопрано

[@trblcleft]

Beautifully sung but...Ahhh the wobbles from you know who

[@ioSonoCallas]

It was the most painful period of her career!

[@gustopheles]

Girl, bye.

[@Orfeus80]

Just because one singer sings badly doesn't mean everyone has to. Besides, Callas wasn't the friendliest of colleagues herself so maybe it's a case of what goes around, comes around.

[@caspiman]

...Stupid public which went to hear baby Mozart and was delighted only by the tricks he did, and not by his genious, remained stupid in 1965 as well. Sorry....

[@caspiman]

You're hilarious. Why do you think I care about the votes from the people I have no idea about? Vote whatever makes you happy. ;-) Bye.

[@Orfeus80]

the problem is Cossotto can sing, Callas can't. tough!

[@alioffe4321]

You're like that one relentless fly munching on the buttocks of a horse, arentcha?

[@SymphonyBrahms]

Callas could sing Cossotto into a ditch. Cossotto is overrated. Compared to Sinionato, Cossotto is a buzzing insect.

[@Orfeus80]

@@SymphonyBrahms maybe earlier but in 1965, this insect is swallowing a worm...

[@osvaldoscilingo5164]

No escriban tantas mentiras ! simplemente seres humanos ! una en decadencia y la otra en su esplendor ! así es la vida señores ! la callas no era Dios !

[@caspiman]

"They didn't go to see her, they went to see La Divina!" ===> ===> they come for the opera. Opera of Bellini. And they want it to be performed well. "La Divina" is merely unprofessional here. The great Cossotto just saves this duet, as any professional should do in such situation. Nobody can't throw any guilt of Callas's primadonna histery and uprofesionalism (at this stage) and usual stupidity of public on Fiorenza.

[@SymphonyBrahms]

Shut up about Callas. You don't appreciate greatness.

[@Gilbertmerida]

Gracias a Maria Callas el Belcanto volvió a ser valorado.