Norma

Synopsis

A rollercoaster of passion, war and destiny. Norma leads her people in a desperate struggle to protect their Pagan beliefs and traditional way of life from the unstoppable rise of the industrial revolution. But she has a terrible secret - Pollione, the father of her children, is the man leading the destruction of the very fabric of her society. Norma is torn, but it is only when he betrays her love that she urges her people to rise up and fight for their freedom. Battle looms, and Norma and Pollione's destinies seem inextricably entwined to the last.

Our Review:

1 March 2012

In Roman- occupied Gaul pagans look to their druidess Norma (Dutch soprano Annemarie Kremer) to lead them against their oppressors. But the scene is set for tragedy - Norma is the lover of Roman proconsul Pollione (Luis Chapa) unaware that he has been unfaithful with the novice Adalgisa (Keri Alkema).
 
Productions of Bellini’s Norma are preceded by its reputation as the highest achievement of the ‘bel canto’ movement in which music and drama merge in perfect union conveyed in the voices of the performers. This requires a cast of virtuoso singers who can also act. Opera North succeed in the former but less so in the latter- as with many operas the movement of the cast is stiff and lacks fluidity.
 
But all three of the principals are superb singers. Bellini’s score blends almost overpowering drama with deep lyricism, which is reflected in Kremer’s Nor...

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