I wonder if anyone has access to the Norma excerpts of Vera Amerighi-Rutili,
one of the most expressive exponents of the role I have heard on record. The
final two scenes were available on a Norma highlights disk put out by Eterna
(706) in the 50s (?) - she's spoken of verey highly in the Rasponi book by
several divas, there's a lovely biographpy of her on Bob Rideout's opera
page, and her Norma excepts (probably 10 78s) were I believe the first
issued, and are highly thought of in Opera on Record (I believe Volume1).
The "Qual cor" and Deh! non volerli" are moving in a almost verista way;,
you can almost hear Magda singning this, with a real classical line and
beautifully controlled high notes. I don't know who would have access to the
78s, or to what I would assume are her other recordings, but she is a
remarkable artist. Any leads?