Organization

Münchner Opernfestspiele

Singer

Tenor

Zoran Todorovich

Pollione

Bass

Roberto Scandiuzzi

Oroveso

Soprano

Edita Gruberová

Norma

Sonia Ganassi

Adalgisa

Cynthia Jansen

Clotilde

Conductor

Friedrich Haider

Stage director

Jürgen Rose

Costume designer

Set designer

Markus Herzog

Flavio

Bayerische Staatsoper

Orchestra

Bayerisches Staatsorchester

Italian

Munich

Germany

Nationaltheater

In a deserted place, Oroveso, Norma's father, and the Gallic warriors await the rising of the new moon. Everyone hopes that the High Priestess Norma will then give the signal to fight the Romans.
Pollione, the Roman proconsul and Norma's secret lover, confesses to his friend Flavio that he has fallen in love with Adalgisa. And the young novice returned his love. But a foreboding dream troubles him; he fears Norma's revenge.
The people gather and Norma appears. She wants to protect Pollione from the Gauls' uprising and urges her warriors to be patient. The right moment to fight has not yet come. In truth, however, Norma hopes to be able to flee with her lover.
Pollione surprises Adalgisa at prayer and asks her to go to Rome with him. After much hesitation, she agrees.
Norma reappears in front of the temple. The sight of her two children makes her painfully aware of the inner conflict between chaste priestess and mother. Adalgisa confesses to Norma that she loves a Roman. Norma releases her from her vows and wants to help her escape. When Pollione appears, they both realize that they love the same man. Adalgisa's love for Norma is stronger and she turns away from Pollione. But Norma is full of hatred and curses Pollione.
Norma has chosen to die and kill her children as well. As she raises the dagger, however, she is terrified. She decides to entrust the children to Adalgisa. But Adalgisa refuses and wants to reconcile Pollione with Norma. The women swear eternal friendship to each other.
Oroveso tells the druids that the gods are still against war, although Pollione is to be replaced by a much crueler Roman.
Clotilde brings Norma the news that Pollione is unforgiving. He still wanted to flee with Adalgisa. In a rage, Norma gives the signal to fight. Pollione is caught trying to kidnap Adalgisa. He is to be sacrificed by the hand of the High Priestess. With him alone, she implores him to give up Adalgisa. But Pollione refuses. In front of the assembled crowd, Norma explains that someone has betrayed the country and is to be sacrificed. When the Gauls ask her to reveal the traitor, she reveals herself. Only now does Pollione recognize her magnanimity and follow her to her death.

"Perhaps it is not a sin if one sends a prayer to heaven before going to bed that the German composers would finally come up with such melodies and such a way of treating the song. Song, song and more song, you Germans!" (Richard Wagner)

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