"Gaul under the Roman occupation. Norma, a druid princess, and Pollione, the Roman pro-consul, were once lovers and he is the father of her children. Now, he has transferred his affections to Adalgisa, but she rejects him and urges him to return to Norma. Pollione refuses, and Norma incites the Gauls to rise up against their Roman masters. As battle looms, the pagan gods of war demand a human sacrifice, and Norma and Pollione's destinies seem inextricably entwined to the last..."

Written Vincenzo Bellini, Norma is one of the great Italian operas. In 'Casta diva' Norma contains one of the most prized of all soprano arias.