by Vincenzo Bellini, libretto by Felice Romani
seen at the Coliseum on 24 February 2016
This production, originally created for Opera North and Die Theater Chemnitz, is directed by Christopher Alden and designed by Charles Edwards. Stephen Lord conducted; Katrina Sheppeard sang Norma (standing in at short notice for an indisposed Marjorie Owens), Jennifer Holloway sang Adalgisa and Peter Auty sang Pollione.
The opera, composed in 1831, is often regarded as the pinnacle of the bel canto style, even though its dramatic plot and detailed study of psychological torments and conflicts of loyalty makes it far more than merely a vehicle for virtuosic display. The part of Norma is indeed extremely difficult, but it demands good acting as much as brilliant singing.
Nominally set during a time of conflict between Romans and Gauls - with the Romans in some sense governing the province, but the native 'druidic' religion still flourishing - there is really very little attempt at depicting musically an ancient historical period. In this production, intriguingly set in a large space with apparently wooden walls, and with the huge trunk of a tree (incised with runes) dominating the stage, the Gauls are dressed in plain workmanlike garments reminiscent of Amish or Shaker communities, while Pollione and his friend Flavio (the only Romans we see) are dressed as prosperous nineteenth-century industrialists, repellently self-confident in black suits and top hats.
