from Act I of the Italian opera Norma by Vincenzo Bellini

Libretto: Felice Romani

Role: Adalgisa, a virgin of the Durid temple.

Voice Part: mezzo-soprano       Fach: lyric coloratura

Setting: Night in the Druid's sacred forest, Gaul, around 50 B.C.

Synopsis: Adalgisa, a young priestess of Irminsul, goes into the sacred wood to meet Pollione, the Roman Proconsol. She prays to her god to protect her from her love.

from Act I of the Italian opera Norma by Vincenzo Bellini

Libretto: Felice Romani

Role: Norma, High Priestess of the Druid Temple of Esus

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic coloratura

Setting: Night in the Druid's sacred forest, Gaul, around 50 B.C.

Synopsis: The Druids have come to meet with Norma, their high priestess. They want to revolt against their Roman oppressors but Norma convinces them that their time to rise up has not come yet. The Romans will be defeated by their own failings. Norma then invokes the moon and prays for peace. While the chorus of Druids sings their derison for the Romans, Norma sings her cabaletta, privately worrying that that the hatred for the Romans must also translate to hatred for Pollione, her secret Roman lover.

from Act I of the Italian opera Norma by Vincenzo Bellini

Libretto: Felice Romani

Role: Pollione, a Roman Proconsul

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: spinto tenor

Setting: Night in the Druid's sacred forest, Gaul, around 50 B.C.

Synopsis: Pollione tells his friend Flavio that Norma has violated her vows as a priestess by having his two children. He declares that he is now in love with Adalgisa, a holy virgin in the temple. He has dreamed about taking Adalgisa to Rome, but it is bothering his conscience. In his dream, Norma has achieved his revenge upon him.