Ten minutes of applause for Bellini’s Norma on stage at the Carlo Felice Opera House in Genoa, on January 23 in a theater filled with spectators (including French ones).
The performance exceeded all our expectations, not only because it managed to do justice to the breathtaking beauty of the score and its exceptional suggestive power, but also because the opening scene of the drama shows no dullness in this show, traversed by a powerful breath where theatrical gesture and music unfold in perfect harmony.
This is a production that opted for a traditional vision of the work. No reckless transpositions or fanciful interpretations of the libretto here.
Mariella Devia (Norma), a great Italian soprano adored worldwide, managed to perform a difficult role sublimely with a crystalline and sensitive voice. Starting with the performance of “Casta Diva,” it received three minutes of applause.
Alongside her, Romanian tenor Stefan Pop (Pollione) possesses a sunny timbre with irresistible seduction, an ability to vocalize with ease, and a high note that is easy and brilliant, allowing him to effortlessly produce the high C in “Eran rapiti i sensi,” which many tenors skip.
Great applause was also received by the conductors Lugi di Gangi and Ugo Giacomazzi. A triumphant success.
(photos by Marcello Orselli)
