Orfeo ed Euridice

A chorus of nymphs and shepherds sings a mourning hymn around the tomb of Eurydice (“Ah, se intorno a quest’urna funesta”). Orpheus asks them to leave him alone, and express his grief for the death of his wife, his rage against the cruel gods, and his determination to bring Eurydice back to life (“Chiamo il mio ben così”). Cupid appears and tells Orpheus that Jove allows him to descend to the underworld to try to reclaim his wife. Orpheus must appease the Furies with his music and bring Eurydice back to the upper world without never looking at her or explaining his behaviour, otherwise he will lose her for ever (“Gli sguardi trattieni”). Orpheus heads to Hades with his lyre as only weapon.

The gates of Hades are guarded by Furies and demons, who threatens Orpheus with their dance (“Chi mai dell’Erebo fra le caligini”). Orpheus plays his lyre and sings his despair (“Deh, placatevi con me”). The Furies at first refuse to let him move on into the Elysian Fields. Then they are gradually touched by his laments and moved by his singing, and they let him pass the entrance of the underworld. The scene is now in the Elysian Fields. Orpheus arrives, seeking his beloved wife (“Che puro ciel”). The Blessed Spirits restore Eurydice, veiled, to Orpheus, and he hurries to lead her away, without looking at her.

Orpheus and Eurydice are on their road to the upper world. Eurydice, who doesn’t know of the gods injunction, is suspicious, and asks him to explain his behaviour or at least to look at her (“Vieni, appaga il tuo consorte”). Orpheus tries to keep his face turned away and to bring her to the upper world, but when she faints, he is forced to to infringe the gods’ will. As soon as their eyes meet, Eurydice dies again with a last farewell. Orpheus is desperate and about to kill himself (“Che farò senza Euridice”). Cupid appears and announces that Orpheus’ love and faith have moved again the gods. Eurydice is restored to life, and they will enjoy a new life of pleasures and love on earth (“Divo Amor, son tue pene”). Nymphs and shepherds celebrate with dances the power of Cupid (“Trionfi Amore”).

In the 1st century A.D. Gaul is occupied by the Romans. Oroveso, head of the druids, and the Gauls are waiting the high priestess and daughter of Oroveso, Norma, to reveal the will of the God Irminsul, and therefore a sign for the war against the Romans to start (“Ite sul colle, o Druidi”). 

During their regular patrol, the roman proconsul Pollione tells his friend Flavio that he is no longer in love with his secret lover Norma. He has fallen for the novice Adalgisa. Norma has already given him two sons (“Meco all’altar di Venere”). 

Norma arrives at the temple and tells the Gauls that the time is not ready for war (“Sediziose voci” – “Casta diva”). 

After everyone has left, the novice Adalgisa arrives at the altar and prays to the God because she has fallen in love with the proconsul Pollione. He surprises her and persuades her to go with him to Rome (“Va’, crudele, e al dio spietato”).
Meanwhile, Norma and Clotilde, the only one who knows about her two sons, are with the children in Norma’s home. Norma heard that Pollione has to go back to Rome but she is not sure that he will take her and the two children with him anymore. Clotilde hides the two sons before Adalgisa’s arrival. Adalgisa wants to break her vow to follow her lover (“Sola, furtiva al tempio”). Norma is ready to release Adalgisa from her vow, but when she learns that Pollione is the lover, her love towards him changes into hate (“Oh, di qual sei tu vittima”). At this moment the holy bell is heard and Norma has to go into the temple for the ceremony.

Norma wants to kill herself and the children to keep them away from Pollione (“Dormon entrambi”). But she cannot. Instead, she summons Adalgisa to take the children with her and Pollione to Rome (“Deh! con te, con te li prendi”). The girl refuses, she wants to bring Pollione back to Norma (“Mira, o Norma”). 

The Gauls assemble at the altar to hear Oroveso’s announcement that Pollione is being replaced by a crueler commander (“Ah! del Tebro al giogo indegno”). 

Norma is waiting for the return of Pollione but Clotilde tells her that Pollione won’t go without Adalgisa. Norma takes this as the sign from the God Irminsul, and announces the war against the Romans (“Guerra! Guerra!”). Before the war can begin, they have to bring a sacrifice to the God. In this moment Clotilde arrives and says that a roman soldier has invaded the temple. Pollione is brought to the altar and Oroveso demands his death.
Norma wants to speak with Pollione alone and offers him his freedom if he leaves Adalgisa (“In mia man alfin tu sei”). But even the threat to kill the two children cannot change Pollione’s mind. Norma swears to kill not only the Romans but also Adalgisa.  Pollione wants to kill himself, but Norma calls back the Gauls and announces that a priestess has broken her vows and therefore she will be the sacrifice. But instead of saying Adalgisa’s name, she says her own. She confesses her love towards Pollione (“Qual cor tradisti”). Her last thoughts are with her children, which she entrusts to her father (“Deh, non volerli vittime”). Oroveso promises to take care of them. The Gauls curse Norma on her way to the pyre. Pollione realises his love towards Norma and follows her into death. 

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