Norma

Composer: Bellini, Vincenzo

Librettist/Text Author: Romani, Felice

Conductor: Haider, Friedrich

Orchestra: Bavarian State Orchestra

Chorus: Bavarian State Opera Chorus

Chorus Master: Maspero, Andres

Adalgisa: Ganassi, Sonia

Clotilde: Jansen, Cynthia

Flavio: Herzog, Markus George

Norma: Gruberova, Edita

Oroveso: Scandiuzzi, Roberto

Pollione: Todorovich, Zoran

Set Designer: Rose, Jurgen

Costume Designer: Rose, Jurgen

Lighting Designer: Rose, Jurgen

Stage Director: Rose, Jurgen

Television Director: Large, Brian

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Date of Production: 2006

Venue: National Theater, Munich

Playing Time: 02:35:35

Catalogue Number: A05015889

Libretto

Norma EN

Synopsis

Norma

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The reigning queen of bel canto, Edita Gruberova 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 Gruberova 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 Jurgen Rose. Emmy Award winner Brian Large directed the HDTV recording made in late January and early February 2006.

Edita Gruberova fulfilled all expectations, and in view of her great predecessors Callas, Caballe and Sutherland, these expectations were clearly very high. The expressive intensity of the one, the velvet timbre of the second, the brilliance of the third – Gruberova 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. Gruberova 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.