I don’t suppose even the Vatican stockpiles more crucifixes than you find in the Royal Opera’s new production of Bellini’s Norma. Hundreds if not thousands swarm around the stage like insects frozen in mid-flight. And they’re portentous. This will either be a super-spiritual show or super-critical of the oppressive powers of religion.
Unsurprisingly, it proves to be the latter; and there’s plenty in this staging – by the Catalan director Àlex Ollé – to disturb a thin-skinned Catholic. But at the same time, it’s the most compelling and successful staging of the piece I’ve ever seen.
