La Cieca was just recalling that soon after she arrived in New York back in 19-mumble-mumble, she screwed up her courage to audition for that most august of impresarios, Ira Siff of La Gran Scena Opera. Back in those days your doyenne thought she had what it took to be a great prima donna (including the avoirdupois, actually) and so, as they say, sing it she did. Dear Ira showed patience bordering on the masochistic as La Cieca screamed her way through her warhorse arias: “Suicidio”, “Pace, pace mio dio”, “Dich teure Halle,” “Una voce poco fa” and (yes!) “Casta diva.” And would you believe that after this half-hour of torment, the dear man asked quietly, “So do you have anything else prepared?”

Well, looking back on it now (as well as she can remember) La Cieca realizes that in fact, she didn’t have anything prepared, particularly the “Casta diva,” and so ended your doyenne’s lyric career. (The rest of the story you know: as a frustrated performer, she naturally became a critic.)

Now, where was I going with this? Oh, yes. The lovely and talented Beau (you know him from the comments) has prepared for you, cher public, an audio quiz on a Norma theme. Here are 11 singers performing “Casta diva.” If you can identify them, send your answer to [email protected]; the first correct entry wins the traditional amazon.com gift certificate. If none of you get all 11 correct (as if!) La Cieca will choose a winner from the entries with the most correct. The contest will end on Friday, February 8 at midnight.

Casta diva quiz