Bellini's Norma

The title character in Bellini's Norma is a druid high priestess, torn between her religious vows of chastity and her love for the Roman official Pollione, with whom she has had two children. Out of this conflict comes some of the most famous music in the whole bel canto repertoire, including the ravishingly beautiful "Casta Diva." The extremely difficult lead role calls for a truly special soprano—and in this Covent Garden production, the sublime Sonya Yoncheva captivates from start to finish, backed by an extraordinary supporting cast that includes the acclaimed Sonia Ganassi as Norma's amorous rival Adalgisa and Joseph Calleja as Pollione.

Directed with characteristically eye-popping flair by Àlex Ollé (of the provocative and marvelously inventive Spanish theatre group La Fura dels Baus) and soundtracked by the world-class Royal Opera Orchestra and Chorus of Covent Garden, this "striking production and terrifically enjoyable evening" (Bachtrack) is a Norma for the ages.

This is just one of hundreds of stunning operas available on medici.tv, the web's leading classical music streaming platform!