Vincenzo Bellini - Norma

About Vincenzo Bellini - Norma

The reigning queen of bel canto, Edita Gruberová has laid the cornerstone for a new "Norma" legend in her first stage performance of this virtuoso role. The premiere of Vincenzo Bellini's opera at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich marked a resounding new triumph in the singer's career. Sharing the stage with Gruberová were Zoran Todorovich, Roberto Scandiuzzi, Sonia Ganassi and other renowned soloists, along with the chorus of the Bavarian State Opera. Friedrich Haider conducted the production directed by Jürgen Rose. Emmy Award winner Brian Large directed the HDTV recording made in late January and early February 2006. Edita Gruberová fulfilled all expectations. And in view of her great predecessors Callas, Caballé and Sutherland, these expectations were clearly very high. The expressive intensity of the one, the velvet timbre of the other, the brilliance of the third - Gruberová united all the strengths of the prima donnas of the past in her interpretation of a Norma that has already become a new high point in the history of this role. Gruberová captures her audiences not only through her stupendous technique, but also through her command of an incredibly large palette of subtle nuances. With her voice alone, she infuses her role with a rich spectrum of feelings and emotions. She makes the crushing tragedy of Norma palpably credible. © Unitel

Program Vincenzo Bellini - Norma

Vincenzo Bellini

Norma, opera
1 No. 1, "Sinfonia"
2 Act I, No. 2, "Ite sul colle, o Druidi", introduction (Oroveso)
3 Act I, No. 3a, "Svanir le voci!", recitative (Polio, Flavius)
4 Act I, No. 3b, "Meco all'altar di Venere", cavatina (Pollio)
5 Act I, No. 3c, "Me protegge me difende" (Pollio)
6 Act I, No. 4a, "Norma viene", chorus
7 Act I, No. 4b, "Sediziose voci", scene (Norma, Oroveso)
8 Act I, No. 4c, "Casta diva", cavatina (chorus)
9 Act I, No. 4d, "Fine al rito" (Norma)
10 Act I, No. 4e, "Ah! bello a me ritorna" (Norma)
11 Act I, No. 5, "Sgombra e la sacra selva", scene (Adalgisa)
12 Act I, No. 6a, "Eccola! Va, mi lascia", recitative (Pollio)
13 Act I, No. 6b, "Va, crudele", duet (Adalgisa, Pollio)
14 Act I, No. 7a, "Vanne, e li cela entrambi", recitative (Pollio)
15 Act I, No. 7b, "Oh, Rimembranza!" (Norma)
16 Act I, No. 7c, "Sola, furtiva al tempio"
17 Act I, No. 8a, "Tremi tu? E per chi?... Oh, non tremare"
18 Act I, No. 8b, "Oh! di qual sei tu vittima", trio (Norma, Adalgisa, Pollio)
19 Act I, No. 8c, "Perfido!... Or basti"
20 Act II, No. 9, "Dormono entrambi", introduction & scene
21 Act II, No. 10a, "Me chiami, o Norma?", recitative
22 Act II, No. 10b, "Mira, o Norma"
23 Act II, No. 10c, "Cedi! Deh, cedi!"
24 Act II, No. 10d, "Si, fino all'ore estreme"
25 Act II, No. 11a, "Non parti!", Chorus
26 Act II, No. 11b, "Guerrieri", recitative
27 Act II, No. 11c, "Ah! del Tebro", aria with chorus
28 Act II, No. 12, "Ei tornera si", recitative
29 Act II, No. 13, "Guerra, guerra!", chorus
30 Act II, No. 14a, "In mia man" duet
31 Act II, No. 14b, "Ah! Crudele"
32 Act II, No. 15a, "All'ira vostra"
33 Act II, No. 15b, "Qual cor tradisti", Duet
34 Act II, No. 15c, "Deh! Non volerli vittime"