Teatro

Maggio Musicale

Fiorentino

Short after the success of La Sonnambula, in 1831 Vincenzo Bellini was called upon to compose the inaugural opera for the new La Scala Carnival season.

The subject chosen by the composer and librettist Felice Romani was Norma, ou L’infanticide, a tragedy in five acts by Louis-Alexandre Soumet, performed with success in April of the same year in Paris. The choice was dictated not only by the elements of sure theatrical effect already present in the drama - a historical setting in Roman Gaul, two women rivals in love, a betrayed vow, an infanticide only hinted at (in the operatic version), a cathartic finale with the sacrifice of Norma and Pollione reunited in death - but also by the incredible vocal cast that Bellini could count on for that season.

At its debut on 26 December 1831, Norma saw two female voices of primary importance reunited on stage: soprano Giulia Grisi in the role of Adalgisa, the young minister of the temple and unwitting rival of Norma, and Giuditta Pasta, a prima donna with a sensational voice capable of ranging from the tessitura of contralto to soprano, in the role of the proud priestess of the Druids betrayed by Pollione.

After the initial lukewarm reception, Norma would become one of the most beloved operas of the nineteenth century, both for its very long and enchanting melodies and for the extraordinary moments of powerful declamation, much admired even by illustrious colleagues such as Rossini, Verdi and Wagner.

New staging

Poster © Gianluigi Toccafondo

March 9th performance will be broadcast prerecorded on Rai Radio 3

Shows are preceded by the listening guide in the Gallery Foyer.
They are reserved for ticket holders and take place 45 minutes before the beginning of the show (duration: approximately 30 minutes).