Norma

Vincenzo Bellini (1801 - 1835).
Opera in two acts, libretto by Felice Romani.
First performance: 26th December 1831 (Teatro alla Scala, Milan)

ACT I

First century BC, during the Roman occupation of Gaul. Oroveso (Norma's father) informs a procession of Gallic warriors and priests that Norma will perform the rite of cutting the sacred mistletoe and persuade the warriors to revolt against the Romans at the sounding of the sacred gong (which signals the rising of the moon). After the warriors and druids have left, Pollione enters with his friend Flavio. Norma has been secretly in love with Pollione, and has two children by him. Pollione tells Flavio he no longer loves Norma, but is now deeply in love with Adalgisa.

At the druids and warrior's return to await Norma's arrival, Pollione threatens to destroy the temple and leaves. When Norma arrives, she tries to convince the warriors not to wage war against the Romans, but that the Roman Empire will soon fall anyhow. The warriors promise her that the first victim of a war to be initiated by Norma, will be Pollione. After the crowd leaves, Adalgisa is left behind. Pollione enters and manages to persuade Adalgisa to accompany him to Rome.

Norma finds out about Adalgisa's love for Pollione and threatens him. Adalgisa, who did not know about Norma's love for him, vows she will never accept Pollione after his betrayal of Norma.

Act II

Norma is torn between love and hate for her children and can only just stop herself from killing them. She tells Adalgisa she is going to kill herself and asks of her to take the children to Pollione. Adalgisa, however, manages to persuade Norma she will try to reunite Norma with Pollione.

The Gallic warriors plan to rise against the Romans as soon as Pollione has left. Oroveso convinces them that they should be patient. Norma finds out that Pollione will not return to her. Outraged, she sounds the sacred gong and gives the signal for war.

Then Pollione, who has been captured in the sacred cloister, is brought before Norma. The Gauls cry for his death. Norma manages to speak to him alone and offers him his freedom if he will leave without Adalgisa. He refuses; Norma threatens also to condemn Adalgisa to death. Pollione begs her to spare Adalgisa and offers to take his own life. Norma reassembles the druids and tells them a priestess of the temple is to die for betraying her country. She tells the druids, who are eager to hear the unfaithful druid's, that she is the one guilty of betrayal. Pollione, who is impressed by her courage, pronounces his lover for Norma. Together they face their deaths in the flames...

Some facts on Norma

At the first performance in 1831, the parts of Norma and Adalgisa were sung by resp. Giuditta Pasta and Giulia Grisi (soprano!). A few years later, Grisi became a renowned performer of the title role herself. Norma is considered one of the most difficult roles in opera. Lili Lehman once stated that she considered singing three Brunhildes less straining than singing one Norma.

The first complete recording of the opera was made in 1938 under conductor Giu, with Cigna, Stignani and Breviario singing the main parts. It was not until the 50s that the next recording (Callas) was made. Until today, Maria Callas is considered to have given the best performance of Norma ever.