The last opera of the season is sure to be one you'll remember long after you leave! The Dallas Opera presents Vincenzo Bellini’s suspense-filled masterpiece of the bel canto repertoire, Norma, starring the phenomenal South African-born soprano Elza van den Heever in the title role of a Druid priestess wronged by the man she loves.
This 1831 masterpiece, with a libretto by Felice Romani, opens Friday, April 21, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. This towering period production, originally created by designer John Conklin for Cincinnati Opera, will command centerstage in four additional performances: April 23(m), 26, 29 and May 7(m), 2017. The final performance in May, during OPERA America week, will serve as the grand finale of their exciting 60th Season. Tickets start at $19, for more information click here.
Synopsis
Set during the Roman occupation of Gaul in 50 B.C., a passionate love triangle in the midst of a deepening culture clash leads to dangerous consequences. A Druid high priestess, Norma (soprano Elza van den Heever), is in the throes of despair after discovering that her longtime lover, a Roman proconsul for whom she has borne two children, may have been unfaithful. Pollione (sung by tenor Yonghoon Lee in his company debut) confesses to a friend that he no longer loves Norma. His amorous attentions are now focused on Adalgisa, a young novice priestess (portrayed by soprano Marina Costa-Jackson), who reluctantly returns his love. Pollione brushes aside a warning about Norma’s hair-trigger temper and capacity for rage.
Amid the turmoil of the occupation, personal betrayal, and impending revolution, Norma is driven to the very brink of insanity, convinced that her life is coming undone, and fearing what the future may hold for her disgraced “fatherless” children.