Last night, November 2nd, the drama from the elections had nothing on the drama that could be seen on the Lyric Theatre stage. The piano dress rehearsal of Norma, which is the first full dress rehearsal, was held and we were able to get some footage of a scene from the production. The scene, whose English translation means “She will die, consumed by her own vices,” occurs during Act I and features Brenda Harris as Norma, Luiz-Ottavio Faria as Oroveso, and some of the Chorus. To help you understand the plot of the scene we have included a translation of the singing below the video. Enjoy!
Translation:
NORMA
Are there those who dare
To raise seditious voices,
Warlike voices, before the altar of God?
Who dares to question my inspired words, Seeking to hasten the ordained fate of Rome?
That will not come through human efforts.
OROVESO
How long, then, must we remain oppressed By Rome? Have not the Roman eagles Sullied enough our native shores, Our ancestral temples? Brenno’s sword Can remain no longer idle.
ALL
Let that sword, for once, be brandished!
NORMA
And broken,
If one of you should draw it
Before the destined time. Not yet
Is the moment of our vengeance.
The Roman spears are still
Stronger than the Druids axes.
ALL
What command has God given you?
What prophecy?
NORMA
In the secret books of Heaven,
On a mortal page, I read
The name of proud Rome.
One day she shall die; but not at your hands.
She will die, consumed
By her own vices, Await that hour,
That fatal hour decreed by God.
And meanwhile, peace! I cut the sacred mistletoe.
