| Operas by Vincenzo Bellini |
|---|
Adelson e Salvini (1825) |
Norma is a tragedia lirica or opera in two acts by Vincenzo Bellini with libretto by Felice Romani after Norma, ossia L'infanticidio (Norma, or The Infanticide) by Alexandre Soumet. First produced at La Scala on December 26, 1831, it is generally regarded as an example of the supreme height of the Bel canto tradition. The title role is generally considered one of the most difficult in the soprano repertoire. German soprano Lilli Lehmann once famously remarked on how the singing of all three Brünnhildes in Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen in one evening was less stressful than the singing of one Norma. [1] The role was created for Giuditta Pasta who also created the role of Amina in La Sonnambula. During the 20th century, only a small number of singers were able to master it with success: Rosa Ponselle in the early 1920s, Leyla Gencer and Virginia Zeani in the 1950s, later Dame Joan Sutherland in the 1960s through to the late 1980s having also recorded the role twice, as Montserrat Caballé, another great Norma in an oustanding live recording at Orange festival. Maria Callas was the most famous Norma of the postwar period; she performed it 89 times and made studio recordings in 1954 and 1960, and other live recordings. Until recent decades, the role was generally reserved for the soprano who could fulfill most, if not all, the requirements of the role. However, because of the increased popularity of the opera, the opera is now, comparatively speaking, quite frequently performed. Contemporary and recent Normas include Edita Gruberova, Anna Tomowa-Sintow, Galina Gorchakova, Fiorenza Cedolins, Hasmik Papian, and the American soprano June Anderson who performed the role at the Lyric Opera of Chicago (1997) and elsewhere.
Contents |
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, December 26, 1831 (Conductor: - ) |
|---|---|---|
| Norma, daughter of Oroveso, an astrologer | soprano | Giuditta Pasta |
| Adalgisa, priestess in the grove of the Irmin statue | soprano | Giulia Grisi |
| Pollione, Roman proconsul in Gaul | tenor | Domenico Donzelli |
| Oroveso, chief of the Druids | bass | Vincenzo Negrini |
| Clotilde, Norma’s friend | soprano | Marietta Sacchi |
| Flavio, Pollione’s companion | tenor | Lorenzo Lombardi |
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 druidess 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.
Famous pieces
- Sinfonia
- Casta diva, cavatina of Norma (Act I)
- Sola, furtiva al tempio, duet between Norma and Adalgisa (Act I)
- Ah! di qual sei tu vittima, terzetto between Norma, Pollione and Adalgisa (Act I)
- Teneri figli, arioso of Norma (Act II)
- Deh, con te, con te li prendi, duet between Norma and Adalgisa (Act II)
- Guerra, guerra! le galliche selve, chorus (Act II)
- In mia man alfin tu sei, duet between Norma and Pollione (Act II)
- Deh! non volerli vittime, final of Act II
Selected recordings
Note: "Cat:" is short for catalogue number by the label company; "ASIN" is amazon.com product reference number.
References
- ^ Interview between Edward Downes (quizmaster) and Maria Callas. La Divina Complete, CD 4. EMI Classics.
