LA Opera Presents Vincenzo Bellini's NORMA Tonight

(Los Angeles) October 29, 2015 - LA Opera's 30th Anniversary Season will include its first performances in nearly two decades of Vincenzo Bellini's Norma, conducted by James Conlon, the company's Richard Seaver Music Director. The production, directed by Anne Bogart, will open tonight, November 21, 2015.

"Norma, the greatest of all bel canto dramas, is an opera that requires nothing less than absolutely supreme vocalism," said Plácido Domingo, LA Opera's Eli and Edythe Broad General Director. "We have assembled an extraordinary cast for this masterpiece, led by soprano Angela Meade, one of today's greatest exponents of the title role."

The opera will have six performances at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, 90012) from November 21 through December 13, 2015. LA Opera's presentation of Norma is made possible in part by generous funding from The Seaver Endowment, Tarasenka Pankiv Fund (Tara Colburn), and the Opera League of Los Angeles.

About the Opera
In the Roman Empire, a clandestine love affair brings two mortal enemies together during a time of war. But when Norma discovers that her beloved now loves another, a fiery new battle begins as betrayal, anguish and fury take the reins. From the sublime "Casta diva" to the blazing finale, Norma delivers an overwhelming feast of vocal fireworks.

The Cast
Soprano Angela Meade, who made her 2012 company debut as Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, returns as Norma, the druid priestess. The winner of the 2012 Beverly Sills Artist Award from the Metropolitan Opera and the 2011 Richard Tucker Award, she was catapulted to prominence after a 2010 concert performance of Norma at the Caramoor International Music Festival. She has subsequently performed that role with Washington National Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. Mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, who makes her company debut as Adalgisa, Norma's unwitting romantic rival, is the 2015 winner of the Richard Tucker Award. Her recent appearances include Adalgisa with San Francisco Opera, Giovanna Seymour in Anna Bolena with the Metropolitan Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Fricka in Das Rheingold with Houston Grand Opera.

Tenor Russell Thomas makes his LA Opera debut as Pollione, a role he recently performed in San Francisco and Valencia. Later this season, he will sing the title role in Stiffelio with the Frankfurt Opera and Don José in Carmen with the Canadian Opera Company. Returning as Oroveso, bass Morris Robinson has previously appeared with LA Opera as Sarastro in The Magic Flute and as Fasolt in Das Rheingold. His recent appearances include Sarastro at the Metropolitan Opera and in Sydney and Houston, and the Commendatore in Don Giovanni in Houston, San Francisco and Miami.

The cast also includes two members of LA Opera's Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program: mezzo-soprano Lacey Jo Benter as Clotilde and tenor Rafael Moras as Flavio.

For complete casting and additional information, visit LAOpera.org/Norma.

The Creative Team
Music Director James Conlon conducts a production directed by Anne Bogart, who made her LA Opera debut with the 2003 world premiere of Nicholas and Alexandra. Making their LA Opera debuts, Neil Patel and James Schuette designed the scenery and costumes, respectively. The lighting designer is Duane Schuler and the choreographer is Barney O'Hanlon.

Performance Dates and Times
There will be six performances of Norma at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion:

• Saturday, November 21, 2015, at 7:30pm
• Sunday, November 29, 2015, at 2pm
• Wednesday, December 2, 2015, at 7:30pm
• Saturday, December 5, 2015, at 7:30pm
• Thursday, December 10, 2015, at 7:30pm
• Sunday, December 13, 2015, at 2pm

Tickets
Tickets are on sale now. Tickets begin at $17 and can be purchased in person at the LA Opera Box Office at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, by phone at 213.972.8001 or online at LAOpera.org. For disability access, call 213.972.0777 or email LAOpera@LAOpera.org.