Ingeborg Hallstein - Bellini: NORMA, Casta diva, circa 1972

THE SONGBIRD: Ingeborg Hallstein was born in Munich in 1936 and was taught singing by her mother. Her debut role was Musetta in 1957 and she quickly booked coloratura roles in major opera houses and festivals, such as Salzburg in 1960 (several operas and concerts over six seasons), the Bavarian State Opera in 1961 (as the leading coloratura until 1973), Covent Garden in 1962, and Vienna in 1965. She made dozens of recordings in the studio, television, and radio of opera, lieder, concert waltzes, light music, operetta, musical theater, and even an album of songs for children. THE MUSIC: Bellini’s “Norma“ is one of the bedrock works 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 bo