Chaste goddess(2)

Feminine strength

The role of Norma is one of the most difficult characters for opera singers. A soprano needs both strength and dramatic force to show the power of a druid leader/priestess who must carry the burden of her people, while also showing the struggles of a woman in love. The opera's most famous aria "Casta Diva" (Chaste Goddess) requires immense talent to match the music's high pitch while presenting a sense of gracefulness, pureness and delicate love.

"If the public image of Norma is that of absolute rigor and solid power so as to keep in check the bellicose desires of the druidic people, then the private image is that of a woman tormented by powerful inner conflicts, but who knows how to prevail over them by responding with extreme determination," wrote Pier'Alli.

Rachele Stanisci starred in the role of Norma for the concert version of the opera performed with the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra last year. Praised for her performance, she joined the A team for this year's complete version of the opera. With her great voice and amazing talent she did a wonderful job depicting the dramatic conflicts rising from being a leader, mother and abandoned lover.

Sun Xiuwei, who starred as Norma for the B team, made no attempt to conceal her love for the role, "I think she is a character that challenges soprano's to the extreme. I feel her character has the most beautiful music out of any role I've played in my career."

Norma is not the only challenging role for female opera singers. The other main role, Adalgisa, also requires a lot from mezzo-sopranos, as the music contains numerous high pitched notes. Although supposedly a sweet young girl, the difficulty of the role means traditionally Adalgisa has been played by older more experienced singers instead of someone younger.

Sonia Ganassi, the Adalgisa for the A team, first played the role about 20 years ago. At a press conference held in Beijing on August 26, the 48-year-old Italian mezzo-soprano admitted that the role is very challenging and that she was very excited to return to it.

Late success

The story of Norma was originally based on a drama written by French poet Alexandre Soumet.

Bellini and his lyrics partner Felice Romani selected the story in 1831 especially for the sought-after soprano Guiditta Pasta, who had helped make Bellini's La Sonnambula a success earlier that year with her performance as Amina.

At first Pasta was not willing to sing "Casta Diva," as she felt it didn't suit her vocal abilities. However, Bellini persuaded her to perform as Norma, leading to the premiere of the opera at La Scala in December to be, in the words of Bellini himself a "Fiasco! Fiasco! Solemn fiasco!"

However, like a miracle, the opera was received more warmly by the audience during its second performance. Soon after, Norma spread throughout Europe, with "Casta Diva" eventually becoming one of the most famous arias of the 19th century. The opera is now seen as one of Bellini's greatest masterpieces.