(Credit: Bernd Uhlig)

On April 13, the Berlin State Opera kicked off a new production of “Norma” by Vasily Barkhatov. The opera opened the company’s 2025 festival with Rachel Willis-Sørensen making her role debut as Norma.

For the American soprano, this new venture into the bel canto repertory represents a departure from the repertoire she is best known for, which includes the operas of Strauss, Wagner, Verdi, Mozart, Offenbach, and Dvorak.

“I am certain this is the greatest role I will ever sing…this role has everything – some of the most demanding singing, and a multifaceted and very interesting character. I have already learned so much from playing this role as a singer and as a human,” Willis-Sørensen stated about her newest project.

“Norma” will not only be a role debut, but also be her house debut at the famed Berlin State Opera.

For audiences not in Berlin for the debut, she will return to the Bayerische Staatsoper for “Don Carlo” and “Lohengrin.” She will also sing several concerts including one with Jonas Kaufmann.

Recordings 

Audiences can hear more of Willis-Sørensen in her two Sony Classical recordings, “The Four Last Songs” and her self titled debut.

Here is a look at her “Norma.”