Vincenzo Bellini
Norma

This production was first staged at the Stuttgart State Opera in 2002 and, according to Germany's “Opernwelt” magazine, became “Event of the Year”. The authors of the modern version of Bellini’s Norma – Jossi Wieler, Sergio Morabito and Anna Viebrock – have carried over the legend about the forbidden love of the Gallic high priestess Norma to the harsh realities of the 20th century. The plot story of the psychological drama is however preserved, and Woman’s opposition to patriarchy in religion, public morals and love becomes even more penetrating and elevated. Norma’s cavatina “Casta diva”, one of the most exquisite gems of romantic music drama, sounds like a hymn to all-absorbing Love, a hymn to Woman.