Norma (Overture) - V. Bellini

Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835) was one of the three great composers of the belcanto-era that dominated the Italian opera scene in the first half of the 19th century. The other masters of 'beautiful singing' were Rossini and Donizetti.Bellini composed 10 opera's of which Norma has become the best known. The opera is based on a tragedy by Alexandre Soumet and tells the story of Norma, high-priestess of the Druids, a people that is threatened by the Romans.