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The image of the immortal Maria Callas singing "Casta Diva" still looms large over Norma, a sublime opera and bel canto masterpiece. Only a diva can do justice to the heroine's torments of love in the famous aria and the equally moving duets.

Norma is a dramatic work by Vincenzo Bellini. First performed in 1831, it was an unqualified success from the fourth performance onwards.

THE STORY

The drama told in this opera plunges us into the heart of Gaul, then under the yoke of Roman occupation. As war threatens, a drama is woven around a druidess and a Roman proconsul who betrays and abandons her for the charms of a young virgin.

Norma, a druidess, is friends with Adalgisa, but they are also both in love with the same man, Pollione. Norma was the mistress of Pollione, a Roman proconsul, and bore him two children. When the truth is revealed, Adalgisa, wounded by the news of her love's betrayal, hopes to heal her wounds by leaving Pollione.

As for the druidess, she finds herself accused and condemned to death for her sins. She will end her life at the stake, followed in the fire by her repentant former lover.

MAIN CHARACTERS

• Pollione, a Roman proconsul, tenor
• Oroveso, chief of the druids, father of the druidess Norma, bass
• Norma, high priestess and mistress of Pollione, soprano
• Adalgisa, young virgin with whom Pollione falls in love, soprano
• Clotilda, friend and confidante of Norma, soprano
• Flavius, Roman centurion, close friend of Pollione, tenor