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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

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Opera on 3

Music: Classical: Opera

Programme presenting rare and fascinating operatic performances

Programme presenting rare and fascinating performances and vividly communicating the immediacy of the live experience

Opera on 3: Bellini's Norma

Performances & Events

Music: Classical

Bellini's Norma

05/11/2016

BBC Radio 3 - Opera on 3, Bellini's Norma

From the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, a new production of Bellini's Norma.

From the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, a new production of Bellini's Norma. Soprano Sonya Yoncheva is Norma, with Joseph Calleja as the unfaithful Pollione.

Ivan Hewett presents a new production of Bellini's Norma from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden's first for almost 30 years. The Druid priestess Norma is in love with the leader of the occupying Roman forces, Pollione, and has secretly borne two children by him. When she discovers that he has transferred his affections to another priestess, Adalgisa, it begins a downward spiral leading to her self-sacrifice. Bellini's grand setting contains a very personal story of a woman struggling to combine her own desires with society's expectations, and shows the power of religion as a force for good, and for destruction. In La Fura dels Baus's production, directed by Alex Olle and recorded last month, Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva leads a stellar cast, with Joseph Calleja as the unfaithful Pollione. Ivan Hewett is joined in the box by Italian opera expert Roger Parker to discuss the history and significance of Bellini's work, and also talks to Associate Director Valentina Carrasco, conductor Antonio Pappano and members of the cast. 

Norma ..... Sonya Yoncheva (Soprano)
Pollione ..... Joseph Calleja (Tenor)
Adalgisa ..... Sonia Ganassi (Contralto)
Oroveso ..... Brindley Sherratt (Bass)
Flavio ..... David Junghoon Kim (Tenor)
Clotilde ..... Vlada Borovko (Soprano)
Royal Opera House Chorus
Royal Opera House Orchestra
Antonio Pappano (Conductor).

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