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The 55 Callas La Scala Norma: Divina or Pristine?? Posted by Brendan Hughes on January 19, 2025, 3:00 am Friends, I'm looking for a comparison of the two best masterings of this performance: the 2004 release by Divina Records (Pablo Berruti), and the 2016 release by Pristine Classical (Andrew Rose) -- of which the later may have been more invasive. While expert conservation may add value my concern is the potential offset of any excessive noise suppression. Would appreciate insight from anyone who may have heard both sources. Thanks so much

Re: The 55 Callas La Scala Norma: Divina or Pristine?? Posted by Ralph Moore on January 20, 2025, 10:00 am, in reply to "The 55 Callas La Scala Norma: Divina or Pristine??" Brendan, I can only point you to the two very positive but separate reviews of this performance by Morgan Burroughs (Divina:https://musicwebinternational.com/2024/12/bellini-norma-divina-classics/ ) and me (Pristine: https://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2013/Jan13/Bellini_Norma_PACO083.htm), as I do not have the former. Other critics besides me are overwhelmingly positive about Pristine's remastering into Ambient Stereo - but it is also available from them in mono - whereas the Divina issue is only mono, of course. You may hear extracts of both versions on their websites here: https://www.pristineclassical.com/products/paco083?_pos=1&_sid=cc0365029&_ss=r https://divinarecords.com/maria-callas-norma-milan-7-december-1955-dvn-17/ I personally prefer Pristine's but you may judge for yourself. Neither will ever be an aural treat but both are very listenable with a will - and it remains the greatest "Norma" we have. Previous Message Friends, I'm looking for a comparison of the two best masterings of this performance: the 2004 release by Divina Records (Pablo Berruti), and the 2016 release by Pristine Classical (Andrew Rose) -- of which the later may have been more invasive. While expert conservation may add value my concern is the potential offset of any excessive noise suppression. Would appreciate insight from anyone who may have heard both sources. Thanks so much

Re: The 55 Callas La Scala Norma: Divina or Pristine?? Posted by Brendan Hughes on January 20, 2025, 9:11 pm, in reply to "Re: The 55 Callas La Scala Norma: Divina or Pristine??" Very much appreciate your insight Ralph. I was leaning toward Pristine and your endorsement has done the trick. Very Best Previous Message Brendan, I can only point you to the two very positive but separate reviews of this performance by Morgan Burroughs (Divina:https://musicwebinternational.com/2024/12/bellini-norma-divina-classics/ ) and me (Pristine: https://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2013/Jan13/Bellini_Norma_PACO083.htm ), as I do not have the former. Other critics besides me are overwhelmingly positive about Pristine's remastering into Ambient Stereo - but it is also available from them in mono - whereas the Divina issue is only mono, of course. You may hear extracts of both versions on their websites here: https://www.pristineclassical.com/products/paco083?_pos=1&_sid=cc0365029&_ss=r https://divinarecords.com/maria-callas-norma-milan-7-december-1955-dvn-17/ I personally prefer Pristine's but you may judge for yourself. Neither will ever be an aural treat but both are very listenable with a will - and it remains the greatest "Norma" we have. Previous Message Friends, I'm looking for a comparison of the two best masterings of this performance: the 2004 release by Divina Records (Pablo Berruti), and the 2016 release by Pristine Classical (Andrew Rose) -- of which the later may have been more invasive. While expert conservation may add value my concern is the potential offset of any excessive noise suppression. Would appreciate insight from anyone who may have heard both sources. Thanks so much

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