Norma, Opera by Vincenzo Bellini
Florence's Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino stages a production of Norma, Vincenzo Bellini's much-admired opera that was, for many, a work that was well ahead of its time. Although some operas of the period – Norma was first staged on 26 December 1831 at La Scala in Milan – only dealt with easily recognisable character types, Bellini had a greater dramatic vision that would soon become popularised. In short, Norma is a more psychologically fascinating drama that places complex characters, not least Norma herself, in truly testing states, allowing audiences to imagine what it would be like to face such difficult circumstances.
Bellini's opera is an adaption, one that is based on Norma, ou L’infanticide, a five-act tragedy written by Louis-Alexandre Soumet. It had been staged in Paris earlier in 1831 with some success as a play. Felice Romani, Bellini's librettist, suggested turning the story of a druid priestess set in Roman-occupied Gaul into an opera and the great Italian composer soon got on board with the idea. Although Norma wasn't a huge success on its first night, its dramatic novelties meant that it soon became one of the most important bel canto operas to have ever been written. The likes of Rossini, Verdi and Wagner all praised its intensity. Over the course of the ensuing decades, new productions of the opera featured the likes of Giulia Grisi, Maria Callas and Montserrat Caballé in the title role that Giuditta Pasta had originally taken on, each performing some of the most iconic arias in the repertoire, such as Casta diva which occurs in Act One.
In the opera, Norma may be one of the cornerstones of Gaulish culture in her community but she has a secret. Her lover is the Roman proconsul Pollione. Not only does the title character have the stress of keeping her relationship with him private but she is also worried that the true identities of her sons will endanger them if it is ever discovered they are Pollione's offspring. Added to this tension, Norma discovers that Pollione has fallen in love with a Druidic novice named Adalgisa. Conflict between the Romans and the Gauls adds to the drama and, as tradition dictates at such times, Norma needs to make a sacrifice to the Gods. Will she be able to fulfil her priestly duties when it is Pollione who is the one to be sacrificed?
With long and memorable melodies, Norma is an opera that requires great acting ability as well as musical prowess and this production of it at the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence offers a superb chance to see both qualities in action.