The folks at St. Petersburg Opera assure me that no one in the audience will be sacrificed this weekend during their production of Vincenzo Bellini’s Norma. But I should warn you that the backstage prop tables are littered with knives, broadswords and battle axes for this opera set in the time of the Druids.
Though the audience isn’t in danger, I can’t say the same for the leads in this production of what is considered Bellini’s greatest tragic opera. The story centers around the daughter of a high priest and a Roman proconsul. She gives up her vow of chastity to him, even though their love is forbidden, but he falls in love with another woman. With that set-up, I think it is safe to say that not everyone who appears on stage is still alive at the end.
Elizabeth de Trejo
It is also no exaggeration to say that Norma is considered one of the most difficult roles for a soprano but it also offers one of the greatest bel canto arias of all time – Casta diva.” Elizabeth de Trejo, a veteran of the Met and Opera Tampa (and a native of New Orleans) will be singing the title role. This will be her SPO debut.
The rehearsals have been thrilling to hear and the orchestra that Maestro Mark Sforzini has assembled will again be first-rate.
The show opens tonight (Friday) and continues with a matinee on Sunday and an evening performance on Tuesday. Tickets are available now only from the Palladium box office.
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