The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has announced a change for its “Norma” production during the 2025 season. The company said, “The Teatro del Maggio informs the kind audience that the production of Vincenzo Bellini’s ‘Norma,’ scheduled for next March during the 2025 Season, will no longer be the announced revival of the play directed by Moshe Leisier and Patrice Caurier for {…}
Tom Volf has announced an upcoming film of “Norma” from his production in Athens in 2023. The director showcased a trailer of the production, which he directed and starred Joyce El Khoury, Mario Frangoulis, Theresa Carlomagno, Sava Vemić, and Alexander Marev. The production will be conducted by American conductor Eugene Kohn, who was chosen by Maria Callas to be her {…}
(Prima Classics) Few operas have so inextricably been linked with the name of Maria Callas as “Norma.” The first perhaps in a line of 20th century Neoclassicists, she dusted off every inch of (pseudo-)Romantic mannerism and histrionics, restituting to the playbills an uncompromisingly sympathetic interpretation of tragic grandeur, as if sprung from the pen of Jean Racine himself. Callas’s following {…}
(Photo: Clarissa Lapolla) One of the main events at this summer’s Valle D’Itria Festival was a production of Bellini’s oft-performed masterpiece, “Norma.” However, rather than using the traditional Ricordi score, which gained widespread acceptance about 100 years ago, the festival decided to present a new edition by Roger Parker. The argument for the decision was not to rediscover Bellini’s original {…}
Prima Classic has announced a new recording of Bellini’s “Norma” starring Marian Rebeka. The recording, set to be released on Oct. 4, 2024, will also star Karine Deshayes, Luciano Ganci, and Marko Mimica. John Fiore conducts the Teatro Real de Madrid Orchestra and Chorus. Meanwhile, the recording is executive produced by Edgardo Vertanessian and Rebeka. The soprano took to social {…}
This week the Festival Valle d’Itria in Martina Franca is set to open a new production of Bellini’s “Norma” which will be performed in Roger Parker’s Ricordi edition. The version will see two sopranos in the opera, which is close to what Bellini originally intended. Among the artists enlisted for this production is Jacquelyn Wagner. Wagner will make her house {…}
The Festival della Valle d’Itria is set to open its 50th edition on July 17, 2024 with Bellini’s “Norma.” The opera, which will be presented at the Palazzo Ducale di Martina Franca, will see Bellini’s masterpiece in Roger Parker’s Ricordi edition. Fabio Luisi will conduct the new production by Nicola Raab. Jacquelyn Wagner sings the title role with soprano Valentina {…}
(Credit: Fay Fox) Palm Beach Opera has announced a cast change for its upcoming production of “Norma.” The company revealed that soprano Jessica Pratt has withdrawn from the production with Angela Meade stepping into the title role, which she has sung all over the world including at the Met in 2013, 2017, and in 2023 when she took over late-run {…}
Swedish company Opera på Skäret is set to present “Norma” this summer. The opera, which opens on July 27 and runs through August 25, 2024, will star Alina Tkachuk and Sonja Saric sharing the title role. Joining them are tenors Vitaliy Kovalchuk and Nutthaporn Thammathi as Pollione. As Adalgisa, audiences will see Anna Werle and Andrea Niño. Rounding out the {…}
The Palm Beach Opera has announced its 2024 season featuring three beloved masterworks. In a statement said PBO’s General and Artistic Director David Walker, “After the incredible success of our 2023 Season, which surpassed revenue goals and welcomed many first-time audiences, we are thrilled to follow up with such a powerhouse season. Featuring three of the most illustrious and significant {…}
“Norma” is considered one of the most difficult soprano roles in the repertoire and for many singers, it is the pinnacle of the repertoire. But interestingly, Bellini’s masterpiece has also been performed by some mezzo-sopranos and this week, Vasilia Berzhanskaya, a mezzo, will add the demanding role to her growing Bel Canto repertoire. At the age of 29, the mezzo {…}