Leyla Gencer: Bellini Norma, Casta Diva

Leyla Gencer, or Ayşe Leyla Çeyrekgil (October 10, 1928 May 10, 2008) was a worldrenowned Turkish operatic soprano. Known as La Diva Turca (The Turkish Diva) and La Regina (The Queen) in the opera world, Gencer was a notable bel canto soprano who spent most of her career in Italy, from the early 1950s through the mid1980s, and had a repertoire encompassing more than seventy roles. She made very few commercial recordings; however, numerous bootleg recordings of her performances exist. In particular, Gencer was associated with the heroines of Lyrics English Translation O pure Goddess, who silver These sacred ancient plants, Turn thy beautiful semblance on us Unclouded and Temper, o Goddess, The brave zeal Of the ardent spirits, Scatter on the earth the peace Thou make reign in the