We are invited once again to enjoy one of the most beautiful masterpieces of the bel canto repertoire, the title of which is preserved by the popular Budapest hiking spot known as Normafa (Norma Tree). It was here – beneath the tree then known as Viharbükk (Storm Beech) – that the world-famous dramatic coloratura soprano Rozália Klein Schodel sang the most celebrated excerpt from this two-act opera, the Casta Diva aria, in 1840. This tragedia lirica is the ninth and most significant opera by the short-lived Vincenzo Bellini (1801–1835), after which only two more works emerged from his workshop. Its world premiere on 26 December 1831 was received coolly by the Milanese La Scala audience, but enthusiasm began to take root from the second performance onwards, paving the way for its later triumph. The modern prestige of Norma was revived through the bel canto renaissance spearheaded by Maria Callas, with whose memory the title role remains eternally linked. The star-studded Hungarian-Italian-Spanish cast features artists such as Klára Kolonits as the Druid high priestess Norma, together with Dorottya Láng, Piero Pretti and Simon Orfila. The conductor, Riccardo Frizza, is a renowned specialist in the Italian operatic repertoire.

Presented by: Hungarian National Philharmonic