Steady on Rafael
Please remind me of those when I get to those operas
I am only starting the shoot-outs on my pre-selections done last week, while on the sun lounger in Ibiza, as one should 
Now, my other contender in the Barber, Gui / De Los angeles
Another excellent contender. Oddly enough, both were recorded in the 1950s.
When it comes to
Norma, there really is only Callas and it usually boils down to which of her two studio recordings to go for, though the best all round performance is live, from La Scala in 1955. Caballé was also an excellent Norma, but her studio recording is not that satisfactory and she is best heard (and seen) on the video of a famous performance from Orange.
The Bartoli set should be avoided at all costs.
