Bellini’s Norma has one of the most difficult soprano roles in Italian opera. Maria Frendo examines this challenging work.

Often labelled as the Hamlet of Italian opera with the title role bearing one of the most difficult soprano roles in the bel canto Italian opera repertoire, it is no wonder that Norma is not so regularly performed.

The opera was composed when Bellini was only 30 years old

Composed by Vincenzo Bellini when he was only 30, and first performed in 1831, the opera was rendered immortal by Maria Callas. Now, the next great Norma after Callas, Dimitra Theodossiou, will sing the title role in the forthcoming production of the opera at the Astra Theatre in Victoria on October 27 and 29.

Theodossiou has left her remarkable stamp on many roles, ranging from the bel canto of Donizetti and Bellini to more dramatic parts such as those of Verdi and Puccini. She is regularly engaged to sing in the world’s top opera houses, including those at Covent Garden, La Scala, and others in South America and Asia.

With its ravishing aria, Casta Diva, the intense duet in Act II and its Finale, this two-act opera anticipates verismo in the treatment of its themes, namely, love, betrayal, vendetta and sacrifice, making it resonate with contemporary times despite its pagan setting.

For Norma, the Druid priestess, mother of two born out of an illicit previous relationship with Pollione, a Roman Pro-Consul, and friend to Adalgisa, a younger priestess, now in love with Pollione, is faced with a huge internal struggle whether to follow her heart or her holy obligations.

Wanting to be loyal to her friend and to her mission as a chaste priestess, Adalgisa decides to forfeit her likewise unlawful relationship with Pollione, a decision that is refuted vehemently by the man who enters Gaul to take Adalgisa to Rome with him, an action that costs him his capture. But Norma cannot kill the man she has loved and vows that Adalgisa shall be punished for betraying her vows.

Again, Norma cannot get herself to see through her initial rage, and prompted by the people as to who the guilty priestess is, she self-accuses and opens the door to her death, which Pollione does not accept and in which he joins.

Alongside Theodossiou, the Astra Theatre has engaged Italian tenor Antonino Interisano, who will be returning to the Astra stage, this time as Pollione, after his interpretations there of the Duke of Mantua in Verdi’s Rigoletto, Calaf in Puccini’s Turandot, and his rendition of Canio in Leoncavallo’s I Pagliacci and Turiddu in Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana.

Romanian mezzo-soprano Oana Andra, another newcomer to the local opera scene, will step into Adalgisa’s role while young Italian bass Dario Russo will sing that of Oroveso, the Arch-Druid.

For Norma, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra will be conducted by Joseph Vella while the Astra Theatre chorus, made up of the main elements of the Laudate Pueri Choir and male members of the Coro Teatro dell’Opera from Rome, will be directed by Maria Frendo. The stage direction is in the hands of Italian Enrico Stinchelli.

Norma opens this year’s Festival Mediterranea, now in its 10th edition, with a number of cultural events, ranging from music, history, heritage and local crafts, until November 19.

More information may be obtained from www.mediterranea.com.mt. Booking is available through 2155 0985 or 7925 6897 or bookings@mediterranea.com.mt.