Opera Guide and Synopsis: Norma, by Vincenzo Bellini

Vincenzo Bellini's Norma, despite its ridiculous plot (even more so than most tragic opera), has long been recognized for its passionate and challenging music, the epitome of bel canto style. Though the title of the famous aria "Casta diva" refers to the goddess Diana, it has certainly been a vehicle for the great diva sopranos of opera. The libretto was written by Felice Romani (based on the French play by Louis Alexandre Soumet), and the opera premiered in Milan on December 26, 1831.

Characters in Norma

• Norma, High Priestess of the Druids (Soprano)
• Oroveso, the Archdruid, her father (Bass)
• Pollione, Roman Proconsul in Gaul (Tenor)
• Clotilda, Norma's confidante (Soprano or mezzo-soprano)
• Adalgisa, a temple virgin (Contralto)
• Flavio, a centurion (Tenor)
  

Synopsis of Norma

The story takes place around 50 BC, in Roman-occupied Gaul.

Act I

Scene 1-The Forest at Night

The Druids gather before the sacred tree of Irminsul. Oroveso plans an uprising against the Romans.

After the Druids leave, Pollione enters with Flavio. He reveals that, although Norma has broken her vows of chastity, become his lover, and borne him two children, he has abandoned her for the temple virgin Adalgisa.

The Druids gather again, and Norma warns them not to rise against Rome, for it will surely destroy itself soon. She prays to the moon goddess for peace (Casta diva). But the crowd wants war, and as they cry out for blood she sings of her secret love for Pollione.

Adalgisa prays for help, but Pollione manages to catch her alone and convince her to run away to Rome with him.

Scene 2-Norma's Home

Norma confesses to Clotilda that she hates her children, because they remind her of Pollione and she fears that he will abandon her.

Adalgisa confesses that she has fallen in love. Norma, sympathetic to her plight, agrees to release her from her vows, but soon realizes that her lover is Pollione. Norma curses Pollione, and Adalgisa leaves him out of remorse and fear.

Act II

Scene 1-Norma's Home at Night

Enraged, Norma resolves to kill her children, but cannot bring herself to do the deed. Instead, she decides to kill herself and leave the children to Adalgisa, whom she asks to marry Pollione and take care of them.

Scene 2-The Forest

The crowd again cries for blood, but this time it is Oroveso who begs them to wait and Norma who riles them up.

Clotilda reveals that Pollione has been found in the priestesses' quarters, and the crowd demands his immediate execution. Norma offers him life with Adalgisa, but he rejects it. Finally, she reveals herself as a priestess unfaithful to her vows, and the lovers are burned together.

Sources:

• Kobbé, Gustav. The Complete Opera Book. New York and London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1919.
• Simon, Henry W. 100 Great Operas and Their Stories. Garden City: Dolphin, 1960.