Norma is Bellini’s eighth opera. The libretto by Felice Romani is based on a play by the French writer Alexandre Sourmet, Norma, or The Infanticide, which in turn drew on the Classical Greek myth of Medea.

Despite being a complete flop on its debut at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, the opera’s emotional charge, richness of melody, and theatricality is now considered the composer’s greatest work, and is a favourite with audiences.

The title role is one of the most challenging in opera. Norma is a complex figure with many angles: she is a high priestess, with the religious and political power this entails; she is a mother but must conceal this; and she loves the wrong man. All these extreme situations require considerable acting skills and vocal agility, that on this occasion, Maria Agresta defended on the main role.

Gregory Kunde plays the Roman Pollione, and the mezzo-soprano Karine Deshayes sings  the role of Adalgisa.

Norma was one of the few titles which Richard Wagner, a fierce critic of Italian opera, respected and admired, even composing an aria for the character Oroveso in the style of Bellini.