Norma

The Teatro Argentino de La Plata
http://www.teatroargentino.ic.gba.gov.ar/
is representing the Norma Opera .

Norma is an opera written by Vincenzo Bellini (music) and Felice Romani (libretto), and it was first produced in the year 1831. This composition is considered one of the most important examples of the bel canto tradition. From the musical point of view, the role of Norma in the opera is one of the most difficult in the soprano repertoireVincenzo Bellini was the least prolific of the bel canto composers (including also Rossini and Donizetti), having produced only ten operas, but he was generally considered the most sensitive of the three composers, particularly with regard to his approach to the poetry presented to him by his librettists. Norma is considered his most important work.

Synopsis: Act I. The grove. A secret love unites the seeress Norma with Pollione, the Roman proconsul, by whom she has borne two children. But Pollione has grown tired of the aging druid priestess and has fallen in love with Adalgisa, a young temple virgin. Despite Adalgisa's piety and virtue, she agrees to flee to Rome with Pollione. Adalgisa innocently tells Norma of her love, and Norma curses Pollione for his treachery.


Act II. Norma's apartment. She is about to kill her children, but through maternal pity finally confides them to the care of Adalgisa. When Pollione comes to take Adalgisa from the temple, Norma denounces him and he is seized by the Druids, after having refused to give up Adalgisa. Norma proclaims herself equally guilty with him. The funeral pyre is lighted, and ascending it, Norma dies with her lover.


The most famous singer that played Norma´s role in the 20th Century was Maria Callas (she performed it 89 times and made official recordings in 1954 and 1960), performance by which she became a celebrity worldwide. Bellow there is an extract of his performance:



To expand on some of the related topics described above, discover the following links:The Music of Norma: http://www.operapaedia.org/Opera.aspx?article=1089&id=4016

Belcanto traditionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bel_canto

Maria Callashttp://www.callas.it/english/home.asp