On Sept. 30 Bellini's dramatic opera "Norma" returns to the Metropolitan Opera.
The opera tells the story of a druid who hides a secret lover Pollione and two children. However, when Pollione betrays her, Norma seeks revenge.
The soprano role has been called one of the most difficult roles in opera and calls for a tremendous vocal range, flexibility and dynamics. Only a handful of sopranos have sung the role to acclaim and very few divas currently sing it.
For the Met's revival, Sondra Radvanovsky will take on the daunting role. The soprano is singing her first staged production as she previously sang the role in 2011 in Spain in a semi-staged production. Radvanovksy has been hailed as one of the few Verdi sopranos living today. The role of Norma marks the soprano's first outing in a bel canto role at the Met. She has previously sung Donizetti's "Anna Bolena," "Maria Stuarda" and "Lucrezia Borgia" to acclaim all over the world.
In the role of Adalgisa, Kate Aldrich returns to the Met after a three-year absence. Latvian tenor Aleksandrs Antonenko sings the role of Pollione, while veteran bass James Morris will take on the role of Oroveso.
The production is John Copley's 2001 staging, which was last performed in 2007 with Maria Guleghina and Hasmik Papian.
Riccardo Frizza takes the podium leading the Metropolitan Opera Chorus and Orchestra.
"Norma" will be presented from Sept. 30 to Nov. 1. Rising star Angela Meade will also take on the role of the druid in two performances with recent Cardiff Singer of the World winner Jamie Barton.
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