Inga Nielsen - Bellini: NORMA, Casta Diva complete scene, Copenhagen 2001

THE SONGBIRD: Inga Nielsen (1946 - 2008), born in Denmark, was a noted child prodigy singer on the radio and in commercial recordings of folk songs and Christmas carols in the 1950s. After studying in Vienna, Stuttgart, and Budapest, she made her operatic debut in 1971 in "Der Bettelstudent." The soubrette and light coloratura roles were her focus for the first half of her career including Adele in "Die Fledermaus" with the New York City Opera in 1980. She began to expand her voice to fill bigger roles in the coloratura fach such as Konstanze (at Salzburg and Covent Garden), and eventually grew into the young dramatic soprano leads in the German repertoire such as the Marschallin, the Empress, Agathe, Leonore, Elsa, Senta, and Chrysothemis. Salome became her signature role, with a long string of well-received productions in top opera houses and a commercial recording. Nielsen died at age 61.

THE MUSIC: Bellini's "Norma" is one of the bedrocks in the bel canto repertoire. It premiered at La Scala in 1831. Apparently, the opening night was not a success, but the opera grew in popularity throughout the world and has held the stage ever since. Even Richard Wagner admired it and conducted a production in 1837. The title role, written for Giuditta Pasta, is legendary for being extremely challenging both musically and emotionally -- and for being one of the longest. Norma's opening scene alone requires over 15 minutes of exposed solo singing, calling for every tool in the soprano's arsenal from the bold declamatory recitative "Sediziose voci" to the soaring, elegant prayer "Casta diva" to the florid cabaletta "Ah! bello a me ritorna."