Vincenzo Bellini

Norma: Act I, Scene 1, Aria (soprano, chorus)

Norma is a two-act lyric tragedy by Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835). A leading example of the bel canto genre, the opera premiered at La Scala in Milan on December 26th, 1831. The story tells of a love triangle between Norma, the High priestess of the druids, her Roman lover, and a younger priestess for whom the Roman has fallen. This excerpt occurs in the first scene of Act I. Norma leads the druids and priestesses in their grove, advising caution in dealing with the invading Romans. She then prays to the moon in her aria "Casta diva" / "Chaste goddess" to bring heaven's peace to the earth. After dismissing all else, she declares that she cannot hurt the Roman Pollione, the father of her two children, wishing that things would return to how they used to be in "Ah! bello a me ritorna" / "Return to me, O beautiful one." This excerpt is in the original key of F. A transposed version to E is also available from the publisher as A9028.