Bellini’s Norma Set to Dazzle Audience

Sunday, October 22, 1 p.m., Orcas Center

— from Susannah Weaver for Orcas Center —

Orcas Center presents the New York Met’s revival of Norma by Bellini streaming Live in HD on Sunday, October 22 at 1 p.m. Join us for the official opening of the Met, complete with a tasting flight centered around Italian wines offered by the Doe Bay Wine Company sommeliers.

The new production of Bellini’s masterpiece stars Sondra Radvanovsky as the Druid priestess, Norma and Joyce DiDonato as her rival, Adalgisa, who unwittingly becomes Norma’s rival in love, and then, in a twist, her most devout friend. Tenor Joseph Calleja plays the role of Pollione, Norma’s unfaithful lover. Sir David McVicar’s evocative production sets the action deep in a Druid forest where nature and ancient ritual rule. Mr. McVicar has an ability to draw out strong performances from both the soprano and mezzo-soprano. Both singers give their all in moving performances. “Sondra Radvanovsky and Joyce DiDonato triumph in a new Norma,” raves the Huffington Post. Norma is “an inspired performance in a striking new production where Radvanovsky surpassed all expectations.”

Bellini’s 1831 opera Norma, contains themes that resonate in today’s political and social climate. Brutal, boorish clashes of culture and religion drive the story. The title character, a high priestess of a druid clan living in Gaul under oppressive Roman occupation, is the unquestioned leader of her community. Even the warriors among her are in awe of Norma’s authority. Norma is also a vulnerable woman struggling to balance a professional and personal life.

Critics agree that “The three leads provide plenty of dazzlement. The chorus alone could power an aircraft carrier,” said New York magazine. “Radvanovsky offered magnificent singing in a deeply felt performance,” said the Washington Post. “DiDonato responded to the heated emotional temperature by literally flinging herself into it.”

Doe Bay Wine Company will offer a special tasting flight during the performance of Norma at The Orcas Center. The flight will be centered around Italian wines in honor of Vincenzo Bellini, who was born in what is now Sicily, and cost $10. The wines will also be available to enjoy by the glass prior to the start, and during the intermission of the performance. The tasting flights will commence at 12:30 pm and finish ten minutes prior to the start of the Opera. Don’t miss this opportunity to be initiated to a “front row” opera with internationally acclaimed greats at Orcas Center.

Tickets for the Met’s Norma are $20 and $15 for students, with $2 off for Orcas Center members. They may be purchased at www.orcascenter.org, by calling 376-2281 ext. 1, or visiting the Orcas Center Box Office open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 12-3 pm. $5 subsidized tickets available at the Box Office. For more information about Orcas Center’s 2017 season visit www.orcascenter.org.