Madrid & Toledo - Seduced by Art & Music Norma with Lisette Oropesa at the Teatro Real
A music and cultural trip to Madrid is a rewarding choice, as the Spanish capital combines art, history and musical diversity in a way that is truly unique. Magnificent squares, elegant boulevards and lively neighbourhoods shape the cityscape. World-famous museums such as the Prado and the Reina Sofía, the Royal Palace, as well as numerous theatres, concert halls and flamenco venues make Madrid a fascinating cultural destination.
Dates and prices
- 2027
| 13.04. - 17.04.2027 | Di. - Sa. | from CHF 2'650.- |
Day 1: Switzerland - Madrid
Afternoon Swiss flight to Madrid. After the transfer, you check in to your room and enjoy dinner in the hotel's stylish restaurant.
Day 2: Madrid & Opera
On a guided tour of the Teatro Real, you discover magnificent halls, royal boxes and areas behind the scenes. You then explore Madrid's old town with the Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol. After lunch together, the afternoon is free at your leisure. In the evening, you experience Bellini's "Norma" with Lisette Oropesa at the Teatro Real. Beforehand, your tour leader will introduce you to the opera.
Day 3: Day trip to Toledo
In Toledo, you stroll through medieval lanes, visit the impressive cathedral and experience the interplay of Christian, Muslim and Jewish culture. The UNESCO-protected old town impresses with its rich historical heritage. After lunch in a typical local restaurant, you return to Madrid. In the evening, you round off the trip in a relaxed atmosphere over tapas and drinks.
Day 4: Madrid
You begin the day in the lively Malasaña district and visit the Conde Duque cultural centre, which today brings together art, music and culture. After lunch together, you discover masterpieces by Velázquez and Goya in the famous Museo del Prado. The rest of the afternoon is free at your leisure. In the evening, a private concert of Spanish songs for soprano and piano awaits you.
Day 5
Return flight to Zurich in the morning.
CarRouge
The Premium vehicles are state of the art and offer generous space: 3 luxury seats per row, individually adjustable headrests and an interior height of 2.10 m create a unique sense of space.
- 30 wide, luxurious Premium armchairs in a 2+1 seating layout
- Generous seat pitch of 90 cm
- Seat belts at every seat
- Height-adjustable footrest, adjustable backrests and armrests
- A unique sense of space thanks to an interior height of 2.10 metres
- Multichannel sound system at every seat, lane assist and adaptive cruise control
- Free Wi-Fi/internet in Europe
included
- Flight with Swiss incl. taxes
- Music tour leader from/to Switzerland
- All transfers in local coaches
- Tour leader for all excursions
- Accommodation in a selected 4* hotel
- 4 x B&B (room/breakfast buffet)
- 1 x opera ticket, 1st category
- 1 x dinner incl. drinks
- 3 x lunch incl. drinks
- All guided tours and entrance fees
- Audio guides for the guided tours
Hotels
The 4* Hotel Soho Opera is located in the heart of Madrid, close to the Opera, the Plaza Mayor and the Puerta del Sol.
About the opera
Vincenzo Bellini: "Norma" - "Casta Diva" (Chaste Goddess)
After "La sonnambula", with Giuditta Pasta in the title role, the Sicilian Vincenzo Bellini composed the tragic opera "Norma" for the diva in 1831, within just seven months. The libretto was written by Felice Romani of Genoa, based on the French play by Gabrielle Soumet and Louis Belmontet. The opera premiered on 26 December 1831 at La Scala in Milan with moderate success. It was Maria Malibran who made it a success in Naples in 1834. And with 90 appearances, Maria Callas continued its success worldwide.
The plot is set around 50 BC in the grove and temple of the god Irmin, with the Irminsul, the Druid stone as an altar, the shield and the Brennus sword. The Druids were the priestly caste of the Celts. They revered oak, vervain and mistletoe, which were believed to have healing powers.
In the grove, the Gaulish warriors and the Druid priests gather with the high priest Oroveso (Orovist) to resist the Roman oppressors. Oroveso's daughter, the seer and high priestess Norma, will perform the ceremony by moonlight. The Roman proconsul Pollione and his companion Flavio are approaching. Norma once had a relationship with Pollione, from which two sons were born. But he has since fallen in love with Adalgisa, the "ministra giovane" of the Irmin temple. As the mistletoe is cut from the oak with the golden sickle, the seer Norma sees no sign yet to intervene. ("Casta Diva che inargenti queste sacre antiche piante al noi volgi il bel sembiante senza nube e senza vel!").
Pollione is intended as the first sacrifice of the sacred rite. He wants to carry Adalgisa off to Rome. But first she confides in Norma, who releases her from her vow. She rejects Pollione when Norma reveals the secret of their relationship. Now Norma's curse weighs upon him.
Instead of killing her children out of revenge, she wants to place them in Adalgisa's care. Adalgisa rejects the idea and offers to intercede with Pollione. He threatens to abduct her by force. Norma strikes the shield hanging from the oak three times with the Brennus sword. The priests and warriors hasten to the Irminsul and bless their weapons. Norma chooses the captured Pollione as the sacrifice. Oroveso urges her to run him through with the sword. She hesitates and offers Pollione his freedom if he renounces Adalgisa. If not, he faces burning at the stake. He reaches for the Brennus sword. Norma chooses her rival as the second sacrifice for the gods. But to everyone's astonishment, she turns the guilt on herself and asks her father Oroveso to take care of the two boys. Then, with Pollione, who loves her again in the hour of death ("incomincia eterno amor"), she ascends the pyre with composure. A shared death for both.