Last night Abravanel Hall was magically transformed into a forest for Utah Opera's production of Norma. I had never seen this opera before and I didn't really know anything about it but I am glad that I decided to get a ticket. It is spectacular! The Druids of Gaul are occupied by the Romans and wish to overthrow them. The Druid Patriarch Oroveso (Adam Lau) sends his daughter Norma (Marjorie Owens), the High Priestess, to speak with the Proconsul Pollione (Jonathan Burton) but he is her secret lover and the father of her two children. She loves him and so she urges her people to seek peace. However, Pollione has fallen in love with Adalgisa (Annie Rosen), Norma's acolyte and best friend. He convinces Adalgisa to renounce her vows and follow him to Rome and she eventually confesses to Norma that she is in love. Remembering how she felt when she fell in love with Pollione, Norma releases her until she discovers that it is Pollione who she loves. The three of them have a passionate scene where Norma demands that Pollione return to Rome, Pollione begs Adalgisa to go with him, and Adalgisa refuses to leave Norma. Adalgisa begs Pollione to reconcile with Norma but he refuses. Norma wants vengeance for this betrayal so she rallies her people to war but this requires a human sacrifice. She decides that she must sacrifice herself because she has broken her vow of chastity and throws herself on a pyre. Pollione, moved by her sacrifice, realizes that he still loves her and joins her in death. This opera is incredibly emotional and powerful with themes of love, friendship, jealousy, loyalty, and betrayal. Bellini's music is beautiful, especially when the Druids are called to war, and it is performed brilliantly by the Utah Symphony. The title role is one of the most difficult in the repertoire (which is why it is not performed very often) because it requires a great range and involves many different emotions. Owens sings it so passionately, especially the aria "Casta Diva," and I was moved to tears several times. Because the Capitol Theatre is undergoing some renovations, this opera is being performed at Abravanel Hall and is semi-staged with projections rather than scenery. I think these innovative projections add to rather than detract from the story, especially the flames at the end. The costumes are designed by Bradon McDonald, a Project Runway finalist, and they are gorgeous, particularly Norma's cloak which looks like a giant tree (his inspiration for the cloak was imagining what Lady Gaga would wear to the Met Gala if the theme was Norma). Seeing this opera is a very unique experience and I highly recommend it! There is one performance left on Monday (go here for tickets).
