Norma (opera) facts for kids

Norma: Poster advertising the 1831 premiere

Norma is a famous Italian opera in two acts. An opera is like a play where the story is told mostly through singing instead of talking. The music for Norma was written by Vincenzo Bellini. The story, called the libretto, was written by Felice Romani.

This opera was first performed in Milan, Italy, at a famous theater called La Scala. That was on December 26, 1831. The story of Norma comes from a play by Louis Alexandre Soumet. Many people think Norma is Bellini's best work. It is also one of the finest examples of bel canto opera. Bel canto is an Italian singing style that focuses on beautiful, smooth melodies. The main role, Norma, is very challenging to sing. Famous sopranos like Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland, and Montserrat Caballé have been known for their amazing performances as Norma.

Main Characters in Norma

In Norma, there are several important characters, each with a special singing voice:

• Norma – She is the main character and is sung by a soprano. This is the highest female singing voice.
• Adalgisa – Another important female character, sung by a mezzo-soprano. This voice is a bit lower than a soprano.
• Pollione – The main male character, sung by a tenor. This is a high male singing voice.
• Oroveso – A male character, sung by a bass. This is the lowest male singing voice.

Images for kids

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  Librettist Felice Romani

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  Giuditta Pasta for whom the role of Norma was created

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  Domenico Donzelli sang Pollione

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  Giulia Grisi sang Adalgisa

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  Vincenzo Negrini sang Oroveso

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  Giulia Grisi dressed as Norma. In 1831, she also sang the role of Adalgisa

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  Act 2 finale, Luigi Lablache as Oroveso, Giulia Grisi (as Norma), Dominique Conti as Pollione. Her Majesty's Theatre, London, 1843

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  Alessandro Sanquirico's set design for act 1, scene 2, for the original production

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  Drawing for Norma (undated)

See also

In Spanish: Norma (ópera) para niños