Anything that has Del Monaco is Excellent.

Stella was only a few years into her international career when this performance was given. She soon dropped the role and this may be her only extant recording of Norma (she recorded the opening scena for DG in the studio later on). Nevertheless she is very impressive. Clearly Callas is her role model, but Stella brings her own femininity and style to Bellini's heroine. She is vocally secure, having no trouble with the top. In fact, she surprises us by socking out an excellent high D in the Act One finale. Her coloratura isn't as precise as some others, but she never embarrasses herself. She is very moving in the final "Deh! Non volerli vittime". I can understand why she dropped the role, but her singing here only increases my admiration of her.Del Monaco bawls Pollione well (the audience loves him) and Nicolai is a no-nonsense Adalgisa who has all the high notes. She and Stella receive an ovation after "Mira, o Norma". An unexpected treat is hearing the wonderful, underrated bass Clabassi sing Oroveso so well. There are missing bits here and there (half the opening Sinfonia, bits of recitative, etc.). The pitch is basically right, but there are a few questionable moments. This was derived from a very old tape and the basic sound is rather hollow and murky. Enough of the performance comes through though: if you love Norma or Stella you should get this. It's worth the effort.

Norma was not a great success for Antonietta Stella, and she soon eschewed the role. Her Norma doesn't have the bite the role needs but she sings beautifully and delivers the high B's going up to C of Casta Diva, smoothly and without aspirates. Elena Nicolai is a tough mature sounding Adalgisa, in spite of her adopted Italian name she shows her Russian provenance.I kept thinking a reversal of roles with Stella( not a big musical shift) would have made for more successful casting.Mario Del Monaco is predictably a masculine and forthright Pollione and Plinio Clabassi a solid and dignified Oroverso.The final final scene with its excellent balance of voices is very moving.The sound is rather dismal but the voices are present and cut through well enough to make it all well worth the effort

Very beautiful performance,who cares about the hiss and the surface flaws but it’s a pity that there are so many missing bits , cabalettas etc…