Opera

Norma

Vincenzo Bellini

Gaul has been entirely conquered by the Romans. The Gauls would have revolted against their occupiers long ago if it weren’t for the priestess Norma, who, evoking Irminsul, the god of war, continually demands that the uprising be postponed. In fact, Norma wishes to prevent war because she is the secret lover of the Roman proconsul Pollione, to whom she has borne two children.

But Pollione’s imminent recall forces action, and when Norma discovers that the Roman has long since fallen in love with the young Druid priestess Adalgisa, she declares war against Rome. Then she reveals her own treachery to the Gauls. But what is Norma’s plan? – First performed in Milan in 1831, »Norma« is the most famous opera by Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini. In his Dresden production, stage director Peter Konwitschny exposes the political core of this story of a woman who shakes the very foundations of her state.

Melodramma in two acts
Libretto by Felice Romani

Performed in Italian with German and English supertitles

Premiere
2. October 2021,

No further performances in the current season.

Please note: Some biographies reflect the information available at the time of the respective premiere date and are not necessarily updated on an ongoing basis.

Premiere cast

Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden
 Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden

Generously supported by the Semperoper Foundation

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Stücktrailer

Norma

Gaul has been entirely conquered by the Romans. The Gauls would have revolted against their occupiers long ago if it weren’t for the priestess Norma, who, evoking Irminsul, the god of war, continually demands that the uprising be postponed. In fact, Norma wishes to prevent war because she is the secret lover of the Roman proconsul Pollione, to whom she has borne two children. But Pollione’s imminent recall forces action, and when Norma discovers that the Roman has long since fallen in love with the young Druid priestess Adalgisa, she declares war against Rome. Then she reveals her own treachery to the Gauls. But what is Norma’s plan? – First performed in Milan in 1831, Norma is the most famous opera by Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini. In his new Dresden production, stage director Peter Konwitschny exposes the political core of this story of a woman who shakes the very foundations of her state.
Making-of

Norma – Making-of (3)

I’m performing to a home crowd: After numerous repertoire evenings at the Semperoper, Norma is the first new production for Gaetano d’Espinosa. As a former deputy concertmaster, the conductor has a special relationship of trust with the Staatskapelle Dresden.
Making-of

Norma – Making-of (2)

In the second making-of for Norma, Yolanda Auyanet talks about the title role: finding the balance between beeing the strong woman and loving mother at the same time is one of the biggest challenges of this role. She is very happy to work with director Peter Konwitschny and is looking forward to a production that goes straight to the heart.
Making-of

Norma – Making-of (1)

First performed in Milan in 1831, Norma is the most famous opera by Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini. In his new Dresden production, stage director Peter Konwitschny exposes the political core of this story of a woman who shakes the very foundations of her state. Konwitschny places the question of whether a woman can remain a woman, but at the same time hold a political function, at the center of his conception.
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