Norma

Probably the most famous work by Bellini is the tragic opera Norma that is based on a drama by Louis Alexandre Soumet and written by Felice Romani to a libretto. The plot of the opera takes place in Gaul, in the first century BC. During a time when Celtic Druids, priests whether man or woman, performed a very important social function. Norma herself is a single priestess. Like other operas this also is a dramatic love story that lies and ends in treachery, deceit, and death. The opera is laid out in two acts – the short sinfonia (Overture), which is presented in an arrangement for symphonic wind orchestra by Carlo Balmelli.