Madrid & Toledo - seduced by art & music Norma with Lisette Oropesa at the Teatro Real
A music and cultural tour to Madrid is well worth it, because the Spanish capital combines art, history and musical diversity in a unique way. Magnificent squares, elegant boulevards and lively districts shape the cityscape. World-famous museums such as the Prado and the Reina Sofía, the Royal Palace and 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 rooms 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, including Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol. After lunch together, there is free time at your leisure. In the evening, you experience Bellini's "Norma" with Lisette Oropesa at the Teatro Real. Beforehand, your tour guide will introduce you to the opera.
Day 3: Excursion 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 way 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. Afterwards, there is free time at your leisure. In the evening, a private concert of Spanish art songs for soprano and piano awaits you.
Day 5
Morning flight back to Zurich.
CarRouge
Die Premium Fahrzeuge sind auf dem neusten Stand der Technik und verfügen über grosszügige Platzverhältnisse: 3 Luxussitze pro Reihe, individuell verstellbare Kopfstützen und eine Innenhöhe von 2.10 m sorgen für ein einzigartiges Raumgefühl.
- 30 breite, luxuriöse Premium-Fauteuils in 2+1-Bestuhlung
- Grosszügiger Sitzabstand von 90 cm
- Sicherheitsgurten an jedem Sitzplatz
- Höhenverstellbarer Fussraster, verstellbare Rücken- und Armlehnen
- Einzigartiges Raumgefühl dank 2.10 Meter Innenhöhe
- Mehrkanal-Tonanlage an jedem Sitz, Spurassistent und Abstandtempomat
- Gratis WLAN/Internet in Europa
360° Panorama
included
- Flight with Swiss, including taxes
- Music tour guide from/to Switzerland
- All transfers in local coaches
- Tour guide for all excursions
- Accommodation in a selected 4* hotel
- 4 x BB (room/breakfast buffet)
- 1 x top-category opera ticket (Category 1)
- 1 x dinner including drinks
- 3 x lunch including drinks
- All guided tours and admissions
- Audio guides during the guided tours
Hotels
The 4* Hotel Soho Opera is located in the heart of Madrid, close to the Opera, Plaza Mayor and 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 composer Vincenzo Bellini wrote the tragic opera "Norma" for the diva in 1831, completing it in just seven months. The libretto was written by Felice Romani of Genoa, based on the French play by Alexandre Soumet and Louis Belmontet. The opera premiered on 26 December 1831 at La Scala in Milan with only moderate success. It was Maria Malibran who made it a success in Naples in 1834. And with 90 performances, Maria Callas continued its triumph worldwide.
The action is set around 50 BC in the grove and temple of the god Irmin, with the Irminsul, the druids' stone altar, the shield and the sword of Brennus. 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 had a relationship with Pollione, from which two sons were born. But he has meanwhile 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 to be the first sacrifice of the sacred rite. He wants to take Adalgisa away 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 hangs over him.
Instead of killing her children in revenge, she wants to entrust them to Adalgisa's care. Adalgisa refuses and offers to plead with Pollione on her behalf. He threatens to abduct her by force. Norma strikes the shield hanging from the oak three times with the sword of Brennus. The priests and warriors hurry to the Irminsul and bless their weapons. Norma chooses the captive 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 sword of Brennus. Norma chooses her rival as the second sacrifice for the gods. But to everyone's astonishment, she takes the guilt upon herself and asks her father Oroveso to look after 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 suicide for both.