Based on Norma, or The Infanticide by Alexandre Soumet, the stage director, Justin Way, leads the performance of this lyric tragedy consisting of the libretto by Felice Romani and music by Vincenzo Bellini. It will be performed in Italian with Spanish and English subtitles. On 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29 and 30 April 2027 at the Teatro Real
The staging by Justin Way with Bellini’s opera, Norma, will be returning to the Madrid theatre conducted by Francesco Lanzillotta and John Fiore. This opera includes performances by Javier Camarena and Lisette Oropesa in the main roles of Pollione and Norma, alternating with artists such as Lisette Oropesa, Jessica Pratt, Lidia Fridman and Marina Rebeka, in the title role, with Aigul Akhmetshina, Rihab Chaieb, Raffaella Lupinacci, Javier Camarena, Dmitry Korchak, Francesco Demuro, Riccardo Fassi, Krzysztof Baczyk or Maharram Huseynov, among others.
With the participation of the Royal Theatre Resident Choir and Orchestra, it is set in Gaul under the Roman occupation. There, Norma, a priestess and daughter of a Celtic tribe, is totally in love with Pollione, the Roman proconsul of Gaul. They have become lovers and have had two secret children, who are looked after by the loyal Clotilde, and by the rest of the clan, unbeknown to them.
However, her entire world is falling apart as she sees how Pollione is in love with another woman, Adalgisa, who is also a priestess. Furthermore, a revolution against the Roman control is unfolding, which Norma tries to suppress so as not to lose her lover.
This production is considered to be one of the best examples of the bel canto tradition, whilst the aria, Casta Diva is one of the most popular in the entire lyric repertoire. It also incorporates elements of the heroism of women and reflections on motherhood, warmongering and religious fanaticism.
Artistic File:
- Musical Conductor - Francesco Lanzillotta / John Fiore (20, 23, 26, 29 April)
- Stage Director - Justin Way
- Stage Design - Charles Edwards
- Costumes - Sue Willmington
- Lighting - Nicolas Fischtel
- Choreography - Jo Meredith
- Choirmaster - José Luis Basso
- Choir and Orchestra - Teatro Real Resident Choir and Orchestra
Cast:
- Pollione - Javier Camarena (9, 12, 14, 19, 22, 25, 30 April) / Dmitry Korchak (10, 13, 16, 24, 27 April) / Francesco Demuro (20, 23, 26, 29 April)
- Oroveso - Riccardo Fassi (9, 12, 14, 19, 22, 25, 30 April) / Krzysztof Bączyk (10, 13, 16, 24, 27 April) / Maharram Huseynov (20, 23, 26, 29 April)
- Norma - Lisette Oropesa (9, 14, 19, 25, 30 April) / Jessica Pratt (10, 13, 16, 24, 27 April) / Lidia Fridman (12, 22 April) / Marina Rebeka (20, 23, 26, 29 April)
- Adalgisa - Aigul Akhmetshina (9, 12, 14, 19, 22, 25, 30 April) / Rihab Chaieb (10, 13, 16, 24, 27 April) / Raffaella Lupinacci (20, 23, 26, 29 April)
- Clotilde - Gemma Coma-Alabert (9, 12, 14, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 29, 30 April) / Yasmin Forastiero (10, 13, 16, 24, 27 April)
- Flavio - Moisés Marín (9, 12, 14, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 29, 30 April) / Jorge Rodríguez Norton (10, 13, 16, 24, 27 April)
Programme:
Lyric Tragedy in Two Acts
- Music- Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835)
- Libretto - Felice Romani, based on Norma, or the Infanticide (1831) by Alexandre Soumet
- Production by the Teatro Real.
- Premièred at the Scala Theatre, Milan on 26 December 1831.
- Premièred at the Teatro Real on 13 November 1851.
Language: Italian
Subtitles: Spanish and English
