Eminent directors Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier have set Bellini and librettist Felice Romani’s tragic tale of ancient druids rebelling against Roman occupation in more modern times – Second World War France, where the French Resistance struggles against its Nazi oppressors. Bartoli’s Norma is torn between loyalty towards her community and her illicit love for Pollione, chief of the occupying forces (and the father of Norma’s two children), who has diverted his affections to the younger Adalgisa.

The iconic role of Norma featured one of the most famous arias in all opera – the prayer to the moon goddess ‘Casta diva’. Bartoli performed the role as Bellini originally envisioned it thanks to a newly prepared critical edition that restores the originally intended vocal colours.

‘Only in this way can we appreciate once more the true magic, the colour and emotion in this music,’ Bartoli has explained. ‘It was my wish to bring Bellini’s opera closer to the sound world of the bel canto period.’

Cecilia Bartoli is one of the world’s finest and most sought-after singers, celebrated internationally for her astonishingly versatile voice and her searching, enormously expressive interpretations. She is joined by a superb cast including US tenor John Osborn as Pollione and Mexican-born soprano Rebeca Olvera as Adalgisa, alongside Péter Kálmán, Liliana Nikiteanu and Reinaldo Macias. I Barocchisti will be playing on authentic instruments from the 19th century.

Opera in two acts by Vincenzo Bellini (1801–1835). Performance of the new critical edition by Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi

Libretto by Felice Romani (1788–1865) based on the tragedy Norma ou L’Infanticide (1831) by Alexandre Soumet (1788–1845).

A Salzburg Festival production in association with U-Live/Universal Music Arts and Entertainment, London

…a triumph

The New York Times

Cecilia Bartoli's Norma is a furious triumph ★★★★

The Telegraph