Director Alex Olle's rendition of the Italian opera, "Norma," first premiered at the Royal Opera House in London in 2016 and will be showcased at Seoul Arts Center from Oct. 26-29

Seoul Arts Center

The celebrated production of "Norma," directed by Alex Olle, is set to grace the Seoul Arts Center from October 26 to 29. Premiering in 2016 at the Royal Opera House in London, this rendition of Bellini's Italian opera is highly regarded for its technical demands and intricate vocal acrobatics.

Conductor Roberto Abbado expressed his enthusiasm about leading this performance, emphasizing the demanding nature of Bellini's composition. He highlighted the opera's challenging technical aspects, emphasizing the need for exceptional singers due to its intricate vocal requirements. The performance will be accompanied by the Korean National Symphony Orchestra and the Noi Opera Chorus. 

▲ (From left) Opera singers Desiree Rancatore and Vittoria Yeo, conductor Roberto Abbado, and opera singers Teresa Iervolino and Park Jong-min pose for a group photo after a press conference held at the Seoul Arts Center on Monday. (Seoul Arts Center)

Particularly notable is the aria "Casta Diva," a defining moment in the opera, renowned for its intricate vocal acrobatics. Sung by the protagonist Norma, the aria portrays the charismatic priestess navigating complex emotions through a melodic composition.

South Korean opera singer Vittoria Yeo, along with soprano Desiree Rancatore from Italy, will share the role of Norma. Both singers acknowledged the complexity of portraying Norma, a strong and betrayed woman, requiring refined dynamics, high notes, and deep emotional resonance.

▲ South Korean opera singer Vittoria Yeo speaks during a press conference held at the Seoul Arts Center on Monday. (Seoul Arts Center)
Despite its technical challenges, "Norma" offers audiences an accessible and thought-provoking experience, weaving themes of religion, love, betrayal, and death. Under Olle's direction, the production reinterprets the setting and conclusion of the opera in a modern context, adding diverse dimensions to the plot.

The narrative's rich tapestry and the characters' emotional fluctuations provide an engaging journey for the audience, exploring anger, love triangles, friendship, and sacrifice. Additionally, the opera's themes of cultural clash and military occupation offer striking contrasts that resonate with real-life confrontations in society, according to Abbado.

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Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com