Norma is a tragedia lirica or opera in two acts by Vincenzo Bellini with libretto by Felice Romani after the play 'Norma, ou L'infanticide' (Norma, or The Infanticide) by Alexandre Soumet. It was first produced at La Scala in Milan on 26 December 1831. The opera is regarded as a leading example of the bel canto genre, and the soprano prayer 'Casta diva' in Act 1 is a world famous aria. In the title role- 'one of the most taxing and wide-ranging parts in the entire repertory' - indeed, one of the most difficult in the soprano repertoire - shines Melody Moore.