Opera (tragedia lirica) in 2 acts
Libretto: Felice Romani [Based: Alexandre Soumet: Norma ou l'infaticide]
First performance: 26 December 1831, Milan, La Scala
Recorded: 2007, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona
Pollione - Vincenzo la Scola
Oroveso - Andrea Papi
Norma - Fiorenza Cedolins
Adalgisa - Sonia Ganassi
Clotilde - Begona Alberdi
Flavio - Jon Plazaola
Anthony Baker, set design
Jonathan Morrell, costume design
Arthaus Musik presents a powerful story of love, betrayal and honour, "Norma" is a classic of the belcanto tradition, combining lavish vocal splendour with a story of great passion and nobility. Over the centuries, opera composers and librettists have created scores of spectacular roles for sopranos. And of all the great soprano roles in operatic history, there's one that may cover more dramatic territory, and demand more of those who perform it, than any other. The title character in Bellini's "Norma" is a role with emotions ranging from haughty and demanding, to desperately passionate, to vengeful and defiant. And the singer must convey all of this while confronting some of the most vocally challenging music ever composed.
Italian soprano Fiorenza Cedolins is one of the most thrilling Normas of the younger operatic generation of singers. Along with a distinguished supporting cast (Sonia Ganassi as Adalgisa and Vincenzo La Scola as Pollione) this finest psychologically staged production by Francisco Negrin, conducted by Giuliano Carella, makes the belcanto tradition vivid and exciting for all generations. |
[ NTSC ] (???)