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L Y R I C O P E R A O F C H I C A G O
January 28 - February 24, 2017
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NORMA
Synopsis
ACT ONE
Scene 1.
Near a forest at night, the priest Oroveso leads the
Druids in a prayer for revenge against the conquering Romans.
After they have left, the Roman proconsul Pollione admits to his
friend Flavio that he no longer loves the high priestess Norma,
Oroveso’s daughter, with whom he has two children. He has
fallen in love with a young novice priestess, Adalgisa, who returns
his love.
The Druids assemble, and Norma prays to the moon goddess
for peace. She tells her people that as soon as the moment for their
uprising against the conquerors arrives, she herself will lead the
revolt. At the same time, she realizes that she could never harm
Pollione.
When the grove is deserted, Adalgisa appears and asks for
strength to resist Pollione, who finds her crying and urges her to
flee with him to Rome.
Scene 2.
Norma tells her confidante Clotilde that Pollione has
been recalled to Rome. She is afraid that he will desert her and
their children. Adalgisa confesses to Norma that she has a lover.
Recalling the beginning of her own love affair, Norma is about
to release Adalgisa from her vows and asks for the name of her
lover. As Pollione appears, Adalgisa answers truthfully. Norma’s
kindness turns to fury. She tells Adalgisa about her own betrayal
by the Roman soldier. Pollione confesses his love for Adalgisa and
asks her again to come away with him, but she refuses and vows
she would rather die than steal him from Norma.
ACT TWO
Scene 1.
Norma tries to bring herself to murder her children
in their sleep to protect them from living in disgrace without a
father. She changes her mind and summons Adalgisa, advising
her to marry Pollione and take the children to Rome. Adalgisa
refuses: she will go to Pollione, but only to persuade him to return
to Norma and the women reaffirm their friendship.
Scene 2
. Oroveso announces that a new commander will replace
Pollione and tells the Druids that they must be patient to ensure
the success of the eventual revolt.
Scene 3.
Norma is stunned to hear from Clotilde that Adalgisa’s
pleas have not persuaded Pollione. In a rage, the high priestess
urges her people to attack the conquerors. Oroveso demands a
sacrificial victim and Pollione is brought in. Alone with him,
Norma promises him his freedom if he will leave Adalgisa and
return to her. When he refuses, Norma threatens to kill him and
their children. She tells the Druids that a guilty priestess must
die, referring to herself. Moved by her nobility, Pollione asks to
share her fate. Norma begs Oroveso to watch over her children
and prepares to die with her lover.
Reprinted courtesy of San Francisco Opera.
TIME:
50 BCE
PLACE
:
Gaul, during the Roman occupation
The opera will be performed with one intermission.
NORMA
– Approximate Timings
ACT ONE 90 minutes
Intermission
30 minutes
ACT TWO 70 minutes
Total 3 hours, 10 minutes