Magic Moments of Music – Caballé sings Norma

This series is dedicated to stellar musical events that gripped the whole world and thanks to film and television have remained unforgettable until today.

Milestone events in music are those rare occasions when suddenly everything gels: great artistry, unique circumstances, and the magic that outlives the moment. On the day of the open-air performance of Vincenzo Bellini’s opera “Norma” in 1974, a severe storm is blowing through the city of Orange in southern France. The much-anticipated event may have to be called off at the last moment. All the while, in the spectacular Roman amphitheatre, nine thousand spectators await Montserrat Caballé in the title role of Norma. In the face of these adverse conditions, the singer and musicians nevertheless decide to perform. It will be a legendary evening of music. For this film, Montserrat Caballé’s brother, Carlos Caballé, has given the first interview since the death of his sister in October 2018. Carlos had accompanied her throughout her life and was also in attendance for the rehearsals and performances in Orange in 1974. Soprano Sonia Yoncheva and Olga Peretyatko tell of their admiration for “La Superba”, as Caballé was known to her fans. And just a few short years after this performance, Maria Callas would describe Caballé her as her true successor – high praise indeed.

also AVAILABLE in the Magic Moments of Music series:

Maria Callas sings Tosca, 1964
Berlin Wall Concert, 1989
Horowitz in Moscow, 1986
Anne-Sophie Mutter and Herbert von Karajan, 1984
Der Rosenkavalier by Herbert von Karajan, 1960

UPCOMING:
A Star is Born: Martha Argerich in Warsaw, 1965

English title Magic Moments of Music – Montserrat Caballé sings Norma
Genre Documentary
Duration 54 mins
Production Company sounding images, ZDF/arte
Director Claus Wischmann
Main Actor Montserrat Caballé, Carlos Caballé, Sonya Yoncheva, Olga Peretyatko, Jaume Tribó, Zubin Mehta, Stefan Schmerbeck...