NORMA

Composer: VINCENZO BELLINI Book by GRUSEPPE FELICE RomaAnt, based on a story by Alexander Soumet and Louis Belmontet First performance: La Scala, Milan, December 26, 1831 2 acts. Norma, high prieste of the Druids, secretly loves and has had two children Because of her love for by Poll i one, a proconsul of the invading Romans. Poll i one, mean Poll i one she persuades the Druids not to fight the Romans. while, has become enamoured of Adalgisa, a young, virgin prieste , and wants her to return to Rome with him. Adalgisa confe es her love for Poll i one to Norma who reveals her own pa ion for him. They join in denouncing him. Because of Norma’s suffering, Adalgisa pleads with Poll i one to return to her. He refuses and, instead, plans to abduct Adalgisa. Norma, learning this, Norma gives him the choice of death sounds the call of War on the Romans. or exile. He refuses both and Norma, angered, calls the Druids, and tells them a virgin prieste has broken her vows, and must die by fire as punishment. Poll i one, thinking she means Adalgisa, begs her not to do it. But instead of condemning Adalgisa Norma tells the Druids it is she, herself, who has trans-