THE OPERA.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 575, 13 November 1871, Page 2

THE OPERA.

There was a good attendance at the Prince of Wales Theatre on Saturday night, considering tho extreme inclemency of tiu- weather; The opera produced was " II Matrimonio Segreto," ami wa-*, like nl! its predecessors, attended with a great success. To-night will be produced the opera of " 2^orma," perhaps one of tho most popular thai can be placed on the stage ; and for the benefit of our readers we submit a synopsis of the details of this most interesting musical drama :—

The Romans, having effected the subjugation of Gaul, committed tho Government of the conquered province toPollio (Signor Rosnati), a Pro Consul, who became enamoured of Norma (Signora Rosavalle), daughter of the Arch-Druid (Druidism being at that lime the religion of the country), and who, besides the respect awarded her from the consideration of her birth and connection, was regarded by the superstitious multitude as the unerring oracle through whom their grand deity, Irminsul, condescended to convey to his faithful votaries his divine decrees. Norma, having been secretly united to Pollio, the Roman Governor, becomes the mother of two children, whose existence she keeps secret from all, except Clolilde (Signora Tournerie), Pollio afterwards deserts Norma, and transfer, his affection to Adalgisa (Signora Cortesi), a young priestess of the Temple of Irminsul, who pcrmito a similar passion to kindle in her bosom for the faithless Roman, who, after much persu ision, succeeds in gaining her consent to abandon tho Temple, aud fly with him to Rome. Remorse, however, takes possession of her breast, and, in her agony, she resolves to rereal. all to Norma, who is labouring under tho influence of slighted love. Pollio makes his appearance at tho instant that Adalgisa is relating her story to Norma, whoso anger is transformed into the wildest fury, on being informed by Adalgisa that ho is the corrupter of her youthful heart, and she bitterly reproaches Pollio for his infidelity and baseneses. The se. o.nd act commences by introducing Norma, with hoi- children, the former still under tho influence of rage and bout on their destruction, which she is on the point of accomplishing, when the full tide of maternal feelings rushes into her heart, and arrests her uplifted arm. She next resolves to destroy herself, and, as a preliminary step, requests Adalgisa, to take charge of her children, who, moved by her distress, i endeavours to allay her perturbation, and : promises to persuade Pollio to return to her. j !n anticipation of her success, Norma becomes j more tranquillized, aud indulges hopes of j brighter days. Tho illusion is of short I duration. Olotilde soon after informs "her I that Adalgisa has been unsuccessful, aud that, ] tho Roman persists in his determination lo j possess her. Intelligence goon arrives that 11 j Roman has been discovered in a certain part j of, the Temple, exclusively appropriated to j the iisaof. the Virgins, who, on being intro- j duced, proves to be Pollio. Another scene of ■ recrimination ensues between him and i Morula, in which she threatens the life of j Adalgisa. Pollio pleads for her, but Norma j is inexorable, and orders the pile to be | prepared : relenting at the last moment, on | the name of the victim being demanded, sho publicly announces herself. All present are struck with horror aud amazement, anxious to know the nature of her crime ; this she reveals to her 1 ither by informing him that sho is a mother ! Pollio's first pa-sion rekindles in his breast at this her devotion, and ho gladly ascends tho pile with her, after she Ins j recommended her children and Clotilde tjthe caro ot her father. The Scene is in Gaul, ( in the Sacred Forest of the Druids, and in I the Temple of Irminsul. -