Celebrated for its finely shaped melodies and exquisite arias, Bellini’s powerful opera is full of ravishing music. When a close-knit community’s way of life is threatened by unstoppable change, the people want war. Their priestess Norma , secretly in love with one of the enemy, resists. But now he has a new love.
This new production of Norma is The Royal Opera ’s first in nearly thirty years. Directing is Àlex Ollé, of the Catalan collective La Fura dels Baus, reunited with the creative team behind his acclaimed production of Oedipe.
La sonnambula, an opera semiseria (serious but with a happy ending), became very popular, even in Englan where an English version appeared. Bellini’s masterpiece, Norma , a tragedy set in ancient Gaul, achieved lasting success despite an initial failure. With some of opera ’s most famous arias, Bellini’s Norma is a work of true bel canto beauty, that will remain a favorite in the operatic canon for years to come.
Gaul during the Roman occupation. Pollione, the Roman consul, has abandoned Norma, the Druid high priestess (by whom he has two sons) in favour of Adalgisa, an acolyte. Despite ominous dreams, Pollione decides to take Adalgisa back to Rome and marry her.
