An Outstanding Soprano for Norma

Dimitra Theodossiou, the soprano engaged by Teatru Astra for the upcoming Norma title-role, is one of only a handful worldwide who is already a legend in her own time. She is internationally hailed by critics and opera reviewers for the ravishing quality of her vocal timbre, her exquisite interpretative powers and formidable technique. Her very latest foray was in Verdi’s Requiem under the direction of the famous Yuri Temirkanov, which opened the Verdi Festival earlier this month in Parma.  Interviewed exclusively on Rai 3, Ms Theodossiou reiterated her pleasure in being recognised as one of the world’s foremost performers of the almost defunct bel canto style.  This is exactly what Norma is all about – the opera that best exemplifies the art of bel canto.

From someone “with an artistic conscience that finds itself creating something that’s absolutely beautiful and emotionally significant, even sublime” (GBOpera opera magazine, 30 June 2011) to “one of the most famous and most important singers currently active on a global level” (Vivere Fano, 24.05.2011) as well as described as having a “phenomenal vocal ability” (Jerusalem Post, 15.04.2011), Dimitra Theodossiou will definitely go down as one of the most important singers having stepped on Maltese soil this year.

At Teatru Astra, for the upcoming opera production on the 27 and 29 October, she will be singing one of the most demanding and vocally difficult soprano roles ever written for Italian bel canto opera, the Druid priestess being the role that many sopranos world-wide aspire to but fear to take on. It is a role rendered immortal by none other than Maria Callas, an icon for the opera world that Theodossiou is now likened with.

Despite its trappings of pagan ritual and romance, the theme of this two-act opera remains valid to this very day. Norma, the Druid priestess, and mother of two children born out of an illicit relationship with Pollione, is faced with a huge internal struggle whether to follow her heart or her holy obligations. Norma’s friend, Adalgisa, professes her own feelings of love towards Pollione, which she, later on, decides to renounce in view of her loyalty to her mission as a chaste priestess. Pollione, strongly refuses Adalgisa’s change of heart and enters Gaul to take her to Rome with him, an action that costs him his capture. But Norma cannot kill the man she has loved and vows that Adalgisa shall be punished for betraying her vows. Again, Norma cannot get herself to see through her initial rage, and prompted by the people as to who the guilty priestess is, she self-accuses and opens the door to her death, which Pollione does not accept and in which he joins.

To bring to life the classical love-triangle theme, a common weave characteristic of many Italian operas, Vincenzo Bellini’s stalwart composition will bring together new artistes for Malta as well as a number of familiar talents in what will be a traditional production that however seeks to create connections between the Classical world in which Norma is set to a credible contemporary understanding.

Italian tenor Antonino Interisano, well known with the local opera-going public for his unforgettable interpretations at Teatru Astra in Verdi’s Rigoletto, in Puccini’s Turandot in Leoncavallo’s I Pagliacci and in Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana, will return, this time as Pollione, the Roman Pro-Consul, flanked by Romanian ‘newcomer’ to Malta, Oana Andra, as Adalgisa, the younger priestess. Italian bass Dario Russo, also a first-time performer for Malta, will sing the part of Oroveso, the Arch-Druid.

The Teatru Astra production will once again involve important in-house elements that have distinguished it from other productions. The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra will be under the baton of Prof. Mro. Joseph Vella, while the Teatru Astra Opera Chorus, made up of the main elements of the Laudate Pueri Choir and male choristers from the choir of the Teatro dell’Opera in Rome, will be directed by Maria Frendo. Artistic direction is in the hands of Italian Enrico Stinchelli, opera director well known for his iconic La Barcaccia RAI Radio 3 production on opera.

Currently the final touches to the scenery and stage are being done by scenic artist Joseph Cauchi and a team of volunteers led by Carmel Zammit and Emanuel John Farrugia, while all costumes are being laid out and labelled by costume masters Emanuel Grima and George Farrugia. Stage lights will be designed in the coming days by George Zammit and Ismael Portelli.

For Norma, Teatru Astra has once again decided to sponsor patrons of the younger generation offering heavily reduced tickets to full-time students under 25 years of age and adults accompanying them. Tickets for the Thursday opening night are being offered for students at the highly reduced rate of €10 instead of €50, with any accompanying adult having the possibility of getting additional tickets at €40 instead of €50.

Norma opens this year’s Festival Mediterranea, now in its tenth edition, with a number of cultural events, ranging from music, history, heritage and local crafts, until 19 November.

More information may be obtained from mediterranea.com.mt. Booking is available on 21550985 or 7925 6897 or [email protected]

Norma and Festival Mediterranea are organised by volunteers at Teatru Astra in collaboration with Bank of Valletta, the Malta Tourism Authority, the Vodafone Malta Foundation, the Malta International Airport, the Ministry for Gozo, the Ministry for Finance, the Economy and Investment, the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts and the Victoria Local Council.

This article was published on the Malta Indpendent on Sunday of the 16 October 2011

20 October 2011