Norma - Vincenzo Bellini (DVD)

Advantages: Fine performances all round, especially Ludwig and Corelli
Disadvantages: Callas not in best voice

...This is often considered one of the finest recordings of Bellini's opera "Norma". That opera is one of the best 'bel canto' operas of the nineteenth century. Norma, the soprano title character, has a secret relationship with the tenor Pollione, a Roman and thus an enemy to her people. She loves Pollione but he loves another priestess, the mezzo Adalgisa. Eventually it transpires that Norma has the power to decide the fate of Pollione and Adalgisa. Pollione is sentenced to death for being found on sacred ground (hoping to elope with/abduct Adalgisa). But rather than point the finger at Adalgisa for breaking her vows Norma admits to breaking her own vows with Pollione. Pollione, seeing Norma's nobility - she had felt pity for Adalgisa having intended to reveal the young priestess' betrayal - realises how much he loved her. They both mount... Read review

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Advantages: Nice Italian design, crumb tray, good value
Disadvantages: Metal casing gets a little hot while toasting

...Introduction I bought this toaster from the electricals and appliances superstore up the road from me after I moved about a year ago. If you are looking for something to go with, say, a stainless steel kettle, and are as much a bargain-hunter as style-conscious, then you might want to opt for this - an absolute bargain at £19.99. Look & Feel This Bellini toaster stuck out from the rest on the shelf because of its nice brushed steel finish and nicely-rounded design. It is a standard 2-slice toaster size, with slots both big enough to accomodate a longer-than-average white bread, and wide enough to take unusually-shaped bread. Setting the timer is just a case of twisting a dial until you get the number for your desired toast shade displayed on top. You can go from 1 through to 6, with 2-4 certainly sufficient for what most... Read review

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Advantages: Fascinating read
Disadvantages: None

..."Goodbye Norma Jean. Though I never knew you at all" ?.. Candle in The Wind, Elton John Those lyrics by Elton John pretty well summed up my thoughts on Marilyn Monroe, having seen her in only a few films and on posters, I was only really aware of the conspiracies surrounding her mysterious death but had never really given her much thought. That was until Mrs. CFC was rummaging through some old books and came across "The Assassination of Marilyn Monroe" by Donald H. Wolfe, which she suggested I might enjoy. Although not a great reader, I picked it up and over the last fortnight I have become very enlightened to not only the legend which was, and still is, Marilyn Monroe but also to the very strange circumstances which surrounded her death. The book opens up with the events surrounding her death on Sunday August 5th 1962, where she... Read review

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