Jacquelyn Wagner assays Norma -- a bel canto soprano summit

THE SONGBIRD: Jacquelyn Wagner studied at the Manhattan School of Music and at the University of Michigan. She made her opera debut at the Berlin Deutsche Oper singing Pamina, Countess Almaviva, Micaela, and Musetta. Among her appearances across the world, she was Agathe in Toulon, Donna Anna in Paris, Fiordiligi in Geneva, Marschallin in Dusseldorf, Arabella in Amsterdam, Eva in Milan, Mimì in Koln, Magda in Torre del Lago, Alice in Antwerp, Euryanthe in Vienna, Violetta in Berlin, Rosalinde in Hamburg, and Elsa in Salzburg.
THE MUSIC: Bellini's "Norma" is one of the bedrocks in the bel canto repertoire. It premiered at La Scala in 1831. Apparently, the opening night was not a success, but the opera grew in popularity throughout the world and has held the stage ever since. Richard Wagner admired it and conducted a production in 1837. The title role, written for Giuditta Pasta, is legendary for being extremely challenging both musically and emotionally -- and for being one of the longest. Norma's opening scene alone requires over 15 minutes of exposed solo singing, calling for every tool in the soprano's arsenal from the bold declamatory recitative "Sediziose voci" to the soaring, elegant prayer "Casta Diva" to the florid cabaletta "Ah! bello a me ritorna."

[@wieslawrudnicki2638]

BRAVISSIMA

[@rafaelsempaudiazdelrio]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💐💐💐💐💐

[@andremad75]

Immensa. Straordinaria. Dovrebbero farle incidere la Norma in studio.

[@INOBT100]

I think "Casta Diva" is better in G-Major.

[@chevogliadiprenderlo8134]

Norma is becoming the new traviata. Everyone is singing it, and it's getting BORING.