Great Performances at the Met: Norma
Premieres nationwide Friday, January 26 at 9 p.m. on PBS
Encore presentation Sunday, January 28 at 12 p.m. on PBS (check local listings)
Season 12 of Great Performances at the Met begins with a new production of Bellini’s masterpiece about a woman scorned, conducted by Carlo Rizzi. Norma stars Sondra Radvanovsky as the titlular druid high priestess, opposite Joyce DiDonato as Norma’s new rival and Joseph Calleja as her unfaithful lover – a casting dream for bel canto fans.
Sir David McVicar’s production is set deep in a forest where druids and warriors seek revenge against the conquering Romans. Norma is scorned by the Roman proconsul Pollione, with whom she has two children. Her kindness turns to fury when she discovers that Pollione has taken Adalgisa, a novice priestess, as his new lover. When Pollione loses his high rank in the army and is offered as a sacrifice, Norma promises him freedom under one condition. Soprano Susanna Phillips hosts the broadcast.
Notable Talent:
- Sondra Radvanovsky – Norma
- Joyce DiDonato – Adalgisa
- Joseph Calleja – Pollione
- Matthew Rose – Oroveso
- Carlo Rizzi – Conductor
- Susanna Phillips, host
Production Credits:
- Sir David McVicar – Producer
- Robert Jones – Set Design
- Moritz Junge – Costume Design
- Paule Constable – Lightning Designer
- Leah Hausman – Movement Director
For the Met, Gary Halvorson directs the telecast. David Frost is Music Producer. Mia Bongiovanni and Elena Park are Supervising Producers, and Louisa Briccetti and Victoria Warivonchik are Producers. Peter Gelb is Executive Producer. For Great Performances, Bill O’Donnell is Series Producer; David Horn is Executive Producer.
Great Performances at the Met is a presentation of THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET, bringing the best of the Metropolitan Opera into the homes of classical music fans across the United States.
