Norma was one of Maria Callas’ signature roles and she performed it on stage on no fewer than 89 occasions between 1948 and 1965, including a performance at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus in 1960. A role which provides young singers with scope to prove their mettle, it requires a skilful coloratura but also a dramatic soprano. To mark the 30th anniversary of the death of “La Divina” (whose interpretation made her the defining Norma of the 20th century), the Athens Festival has invited two famous singers of the modern era to perform a programme which includes extracts from Bellini’s opera: the American June Anderson and Béatrice Uria-Monzon from France, both of whom have won acclaim the world over for their vocal and acting talents.
With excerpts from the following operas:
Georges Bizet (1838-1875), Carmen
Overture
“L’amour est un oiseau rebelle”
[Aria from Act I (Habanera)]
“Près des remparts de Séville”
[Aria from Act I (Séguedille)]
Carmen: Béatrice Uria-Monzon, mezzo-soprano
Jules Massenet (1842-1912), Werther
“Va! Laisse couler mes larmes”
[Aria from Act III (Air des larmes)]
“Werther! Werther.....Qui m' aurait dit la place”
[Aria from Act III (Air des lettres)]
Charlotte: Béatrice Uria-Monzon, mezzo-soprano
Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901), Don Carlo
Prelude to Act IV
“Ella giammai m’amo”
[Aria from Act IV]
“O don fatale”
[Aria from Act IV]
King Philip: Dimitris Kavrakos, bass
Eboli: Béatrice Uria-Monzon, mezzo-soprano
Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901), Macbeth
“Come dal ciel precipita”
[Aria from Act II]
Banco: Dimitris Kavrakos, bass
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921), Samson et Dalila
“Mon cœur s’ouvre à ta voix”
[Aria from Act II]
Dalila: Béatrice Uria-Monzon, mezzo-soprano
“Bacchanale”
[Dance Bacchanale, from Act III]
Intermission
Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835), Norma
Sinfonia (Overture)
“Casta Diva”
[Aria from Act I]
“Mira o Norma”
[Duet from Act II]
Norma: June Anderson, soprano
Adalgisa: Béatrice Uria-Monzon, mezzo-soprano
Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835), La Sonnambula
“Vi ravviso”
[Aria from Act I]
“Ah non credea mirarti” • “Ah non giunge”
[Final scene from Act II]
Count Rodolfo: Dimitris Kavrakos, bass
Amina: June Anderson, soprano
Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901), La Τraviata
Prelude to Act Three
“È strano...Ah, fors’è lui...Sempre libera”
[Scene and aria from Act I]
Violetta: June Anderson, soprano
Conducted by Jean Yves Ossonce
€80 (Prime Circle); €60 (Α’); €40 (Β’); €30 (C’); €20 (Upper Tier). Concessions available.
