Norma

opera by Bellini

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July 1, 2026

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Norma is an opera by Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini, first performed in 1831. It is considered Bellini's masterpiece and a significant work in the bel canto style.1

The opera is a tragedy set in ancient Gaul, focusing on the forbidden love between Norma, a Druid priestess, and Pollione, a Roman proconsul. The plot explores themes of love, betrayal, and sacrifice. Despite an initial failure, Norma achieved lasting success and is renowned for its beautiful vocal melodies, a hallmark of Bellini's compositions. The role of Norma is particularly famous and has been performed by many celebrated sopranos, including Rosa Ponselle.12

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Vincenzo Bellini
…sonnambula (1831; The Sleepwalker); and Norma (1831). La sonnambula, an opera semiseria (serious but with a happy ending), became very popular, even in England, where an English version appeared. Bellini’s masterpiece, Norma, a tragedy set in ancient Gaul, achieved lasting success despite an initial failure.
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…sonnambula (1831; The Sleepwalker); and Norma (1831). La sonnambula, an opera semiseria (serious but with a happy ending), became very popular, even in England, where an English version appeared. Bellini’s masterpiece, Norma, a tragedy set in ancient Gaul, achieved lasting success despite an initial failure.
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Joan Sutherland
…greatest later successes were as Norma in Vincenzo Bellini’s opera of that name, Cleopatra in George Frideric Handel’s Giulio Cesare, and the three sopranos in Jacques Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann. She also had an impressive concert career and can be heard on many highly acclaimed recordings. Sutherland retired from…
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…greatest later successes were as Norma in Vincenzo Bellini’s opera of that name, Cleopatra in George Frideric Handel’s Giulio Cesare, and the three sopranos in Jacques Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann. She also had an impressive concert career and can be heard on many highly acclaimed recordings. Sutherland retired from…
Read More