Norma is an opera in two acts by the Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini. The libretto (text), in Italian, was written by the Italian librettist and composer Felice Romani. It was first performed in Milan, Italy, on Dec. 26, 1831. The opera was based on a tragedy published earlier the same year, written by the French poet and playwright Louis Alexandre Soumet.
The action takes place in ancient Gaul at the time of the Roman occupation. Norma, a priestess of the Gaulish Druids, loves the Roman proconsul Pollione. She has had two sons by him and seeks to protect him by advising him against war. But Pollione abandons Norma for another priestess, Adalgisa.
When Norma discovers that Adalgisa’s lover is Pollione, she threatens to kill the two children but cannot bring herself to do so. Adalgisa unsuccessfully pleads with Pollione to return to Norma. In anger, Norma incites the Gauls to war against the Romans, and in the ensuing battle Pollione is captured by the Druids and condemned to death. Realizing she still loves him, Norma offers to meet death in his place. A remorseful Pollione voluntarily dies with her.
The most famous aria in Norma occurs in Act I when Norma sings “Casta diva” (“Chaste Goddess”). In it, she entreats the goddess of the moon to grant peace.
