From the RAI Radio 3 program called "La Barcaccia", conducted by Enrico Stinchelli and Michele Suozzo, here you are an excerpt of the so discussed 1958 Decca recording sessions of Bellini's "Norma" with Cerquetti, Simionato and del Monaco. It is said that the entire first act was recorded, however it was NEVER published in any format. Now, the Italian Decca, to remember the 25th anniversary of del Monaco's death, has released a 3 CD-set called "Il favoloso Mario del Monaco". In the third CD you may find Pollione's big entrance scene and the Act I duet by Adalgisa/Pollione from "Eccola, va mi lascia!". Unfortunately, no excerpt with Cerquetti was included.


So here you are the duet, with comments in Italian by Stichelli and Suozzo:


http://rapidshare.com/files/70748985/sorpresa.mp3