【Norma】Synopsis, Character Map

Oroveso
Druids, you must go to that hill. When the moon appears, Norma will say a prayer.

Tell Norma, O God, that we will be free. Please tell Norma about the future when we will repel the Roman invasion and liberate us.

Druids
Rise, O moon. Norma will appear at the altar.

They’re finally gone. It’s a creepy forest.

Flavio
Norma had told us that there was death in this forest.

Don’t do it. Don’t mention Norma’s name.

Flavio
Norma is your loved one, the mother of your child.

No, don’t blame me. Not anymore. Because God put out the flame. I’m in love with another woman. The one I love now as Adalgisa. She’s a young priestess, pure and innocent.

Flavio
Are you not afraid of Norma’s wrath?

It’s horrible. I had a terrible dream. I still shudder.

(In the dream) Adalgisa and I were in Rome in front of the Altar of Venus. As we were basking in happiness, an eerie shadow interrupted us.

Adalgisa was wrapped in a druid’s cloak and vanished. Out of nowhere, a creepy voice! That’s how Norma gets her revenge on me.

Meco all’altar di Venere

Druids’ Voices
The moon has risen. Norma will appear. Get rid of the Romans.

Flavio
Let’s get out of here before the druids find us.

No, I’m staying. They’re savages.

There is something beyond my power that will protect me. That something is love. For the sake of my beloved Adalgisa, I will stay. I will burn this forest and destroy the altar!

Me protegge, me difende

Do you wish for war in front of the altar of God?

Oroveso
We are being oppressed by the Romans.

The battle lies ahead, and we are defeated.

I know a fate. One day, Rome will fall. But it will not be by our power. It is Rome’s arrogance that will destroy it. Until then, we will have to wait.

Now, I give you all peace. Let’s cut the sacred mistletoe.

O pure goddess (moon), illuminate the sacred and ancient plants with silvery light. Show us your beautiful face (moon), without cloud or shade.

O Goddess, restrain the angry hearts of the people. Give peace to this land.

Casta Diva

The ritual is over. When God is angry, he will demand the blood of the Romans. My voice will sound like a thunderbolt from the temple.

Oroveso and Druids
No one can escape the wrath of God. The first one to be defeated will be the Roman general.

Let’s bring them down! I can punish him.

But my heart does not know how to punish him. Come back to me, my first true love. Let me be his advocate against the whole world.

Ah! bello a me ritorna

It’s so quiet in the sacred forest. I sigh. This is the place where the doomed Romans made me betray God and the temple. This is the last time I will see him. No, it is a vain hope.

An irresistible force has brought me here. He has captured my heart. Protect me, O God.

Sgombra è la sacra selva

Are you crying?

I’m going to the temple. I swore to God that I would pray to Him.

Go ahead, cold one. You may have sworn to God, but you have already given your heart to me.

Va, crudele

I have defiled the altar. I was innocent, but I am no longer so. God sees my sin.

I can show you a better God in Rome. Tomorrow at dawn, we leave. You’re coming with me.

I don’t know what to do! I can’t forget his face all the time. God, please forgive me for this mistake.

I’ll follow you.

Come to this place at the same time tomorrow.

I heard that Pollione is going to be recalled to Rome.

Clotilde
Will you be leaving with him?

He’s not going to tell me anything. Maybe he’ll leave me here and run away. He may forget his children and leave. It’s unbearable for me.

People are coming. Hide the children.

Adalgisa. Come in. I’m told you have a great secret.

It’s true. Let go of the harshness that shines in your eyes. I will show you my heart.

I have fallen in love. I’ve tried to suppress my feelings, but I couldn’t. I met him in the sacred forest and was instantly attracted to him.

Oh, I am reminded of the past. I had something like that happen to me once.

Oh! Rimembranza!

This is what he said. Let me kneel at your feet. Let me kiss your hair.

（I had the same words for him, and he stole my heart.)

I see. Wipe your tears. I will help you to be united with the one you love. Tell me, who is the one you love?

He is not a Gaul. It’s a Roman. It’s him.

Pollione!

Norma, why are you so angry?

(To Adalgisa) Foolish woman. What have you done?

Foolish? Me?

(To Pollione) You’re trembling, aren’t you? Who are you trembling for?

Don’t tremble, you scoundrel. She is innocent, and you are the villain. Tremble for you, tremble for me, tremble for the children.

Oh! non tremare, o perfido

Norma, please don’t direct your anger at me. Don’t make her suffer.

The heavens will judge. Who is the most sinful? Come on, we’re lovers. Come with me.

Please leave me alone. May there be an ocean and a mountain between me and the traitor.

(To Norma) I did not mean to cause you pain.

It’s the sound of death. You’re going to die soon.

It is the sound of death. Death is waiting for you. Please run away.

What is the sound of death? I will overthrow your gods.

They’re both asleep. These children will not live from now on. They will be punished in this land, and if they go to Rome, they will be shamed.

My dear children were once my joy. They are innocent. No, the children are Pollione’s children. It’s a sin to be his son.
(She tries to stab the children.)
I can’t do it, they’re my children!

Teneri, teneri figli

Norma, you wanted to see me?

I’ve made up my mind to die. I leave my children in your hands.

Please. Take my children to Rome. I ask that you protect and raise my children. My wish is that they will not become slaves or lowlifes.

Deh! Con te, li prendi

Dear Norma, please remain the mother of your children. I will not leave this land.

For your sake, I will meet that unfaithful man. His love for you will return to his heart.

No, don’t do that.

Look at them, Norma. Look at your children in your lap. For the sake of the children, follow me.

Mira, o Norma

He’s in love with you. And you?

I’m sure he regrets it. I used to love him, but not anymore.

You win. Hug me. I’ve found friendship.

Norma and Adalgisa
Let us be friends until the end of time. The world is wide, and it will shelter us. Let us face our fate together.

The druid warriors
Pollione hasn’t returned to Rome, he’s still in the camp. The noise and the clanging of weapons are proof of that. Let us prepare ourselves in silence. We’ve got a big job to do.

Non partì!

Oroveso
Soldiers. I wanted to bring you good news, but I couldn’t. It appears that Pollione’s replacement is a brutal man.

The druid warriors
What does Norma say?

Oroveso
I don’t know what’s in Norma’s heart. We can only pretend to submit to the Romans and hide our anger in our hearts.

He’s coming back. Happy days will come back to me.

Clotilde
Norma, it was useless. That man did not listen to Adalgisa. Now, Adalgisa is back in the temple. Pollione said he swore to take Adalgisa from the gods.

He is an ill-conceived scoundrel. There will be Roman blood in this land.

The time for battle has come.

Clotilde
A Roman invaded the temple.

（Now is the time for revenge.) I’ll stab him.

Kill me. Look who it is, Norma.

Druids
Why are you hesitating? Norma!

I need to examine this man. I need to find out if there are any other guilty parties.

You’ve finally fallen into my hands.

Swear by your God, by your children. Swear to me that you will never see Adalgisa again. I will never see you again either. Please leave me like this.

In mia man alfin tu sei

No, I’m not a coward.

I tried to kill your child. I feel like I can do anything now. The Romans, Adalgisa…

Please help her. Have mercy. Otherwise, kill me. Give me the dagger.

Everyone, please come.

I have prepared a sacrifice for your wrath. There is a priestess who has broken her sacred vows and betrayed her country.

Norma, have mercy.

That’s me.

This heart that you betrayed will unfold a terrible time. You have tried in vain to escape from me. Romans, you are with me.

Qual cor tradisti

I realized it too late. You are a virtuous woman. We’re going to die together. My last words will be I love you. Before you die, please forgive me.

Oroveso
That’s what your father says. Tell me it’s not true. God is listening, but nothing will happen. Then I guess that means you’re forgiven. God is not punishing you.

Plead your case. Norma. Tell me it’s not true.

(whispering) Father, I have children. They are your blood relatives. Please protect them.

Oroveso
I can’t. I can’t do it. …my unfortunate daughter. I promise to protect your children.

Norma, you are mine. That’s where eternal love begins.

Goodbye, father.

Oroveso
My daughter, you have been forgiven by your father.