In a love story more tragic than Romeo and Juliet, Norma, the High Priestess of the Druids, is expected to either negotiate a peace treaty with invading Romans, or lead her people against the invaders. There is a little problem, though, or, rather, two of them: Norma’s two children by her beloved Pollione, who is – you guessed it! – a Roman officer. The love affair is, of course, deeply secret, as she had broken her vows when she engaged in this illicit relationship. What makes it even worse is that Pollione – what a scoundrel! – doesn’t love her any more but instead, is in love with a younger woman, Adalgisa, a junior priestess, or a priestess in training, if you will. To make a two-act, four-hour opera plot short, Romans reject the peace idea (you know those Roman conquerors; they never had a concept of peace in their heads!), and Norma must exercise her second option.
Here is the inimitable, fantastic soprano Montserrat Caballe appealing to Casta Diva, the mythical Chaste Druidic Maiden with supernatural powers, to grant the Druid warriors victory over invaders. But again, there are two problems: first, she is advised by the male Chief Priest that a human sacrifice is required; and secondly, having borne two children, she herself is somewhat far from chaste, so the Maiden is, probably, not even listening! We are held in breathless suspense because the situation presents a perfect chance for Norma to get rid of her rival Adalgisa who, supposedly, is still verifiably chaste. But no! Noble Norma jumps into the sacrificial fire herself. The Roman, albeit just as noble, Pollione declares his rekindled passion for her and… follows her into the fire. Thus ends the famous opera Norma by Vincenzo Bellini, an acclaimed master of 19th century Bel Canto style of operatic music.
This is how you make Bellini, a drink as delicious as Bel Canto music. You mix Prosecco or any sparkling wine or champagne of your choice and add peach puree. Traditionally, Bellini is made with white peach puree, but since I couldn’t find any, I made do with peach preserve. My husband had to use a gentle electric whisk to turn it into puree.
To be honest, the name of this drink has nothing to do with the composer Bellini, but rather with his namesake, the Venetian Renaissance artist Giovanni Bellini. The drink was invented by the owner of Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy, a frequent hangout of Hemingway, Sinclair Lewis, Orson Welles, and other notables. The name is due to an iridescent pink color, specialty of the artist who was dubbed “the master of color and light.” Yes, a true Bellini should have that translucent pink tint which mine doesn’t, but it is just as delicious!
Mix two parts of champagne with one part of peach puree or preserve, serve it chilled in a flute, and be entertained by divine music, art, and also poetry contributed by a dear blogofriend Chuck.
via HAIKU: ANGEL FOOD BLESSINGS
Today’s word prompt is ENTERTAIN : https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/entertain/
A gentle reminder: my book , both in electronic format and hard copy is only one click away at https://www.amazon.com/Dolly-Aizenman/e/B0789FDS7W.
Thank you for pingback.
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Thanks so much for sharing this, My Dear!
Chuck
xo
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My great pleasure, and how could I not!
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I usually have mimosas since there’s usually OJ in the house but I HAVE planned ahead and made Bellinis. And Kir Royale. 🙂
There are rarely happy endings in operas.
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Good for you – I hope you enjoyed them! 😻
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Every time. And sometimes, I just drink the champagne while snacking on a gougere or two … or three. 🙂
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I am not a big fan of champagne unless it’s in a drink, and mimosas used to be our Sunday brunch routine, but recently we switched to Bellinis. Gougeres are yummy, for sure!
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This is such a tasty cocktail. Thanks for adding the background information. Always interesting! 🙂
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Thank you so much, Ronit! Cheers! 😻
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I would love to be your guest for one of these events!
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And I’d love to have you, dear Ann! Any time you are in South Florida, just let me know! 😻
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Thanks for the awesome share and what a story amazing and awesome at the same time. Champagne and its beauty who can forget.
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Thank you so much, dear Kamal, for a lovely comment! Cheers! 😻
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Welcome Dolly always.
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😻
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Thank you for sharing ! Caballe is amazing 🙂 You made my day 🙂
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Oh, I am so glad! I’ve heard Maria Callas and Lena Horne do Casta Diva, and also the Moldavian Maria Bieshu, and they were all fantastic, of course, but I’ve always thought that Caballe was the best Norma. 😻
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I agree 🙂
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😻
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I love Bellini’s and very creative how you improvised the making of yours. Thanks for the history of where it originated from Dolly. Luv Gary
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Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Gary! 😻
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As ever this was nectar to the soul to read … and to listen to Montserrat is always the most emotional of thrills. Here I have an Italian Marchand (there is an indigenous population of Italians in the city who stretch back centuries) … when I bought my first white peaches in the summer he winked and said now go buy some prosecco and make some happy juice! Of course I did just that although I used Crémant de Bourgogne which is my go-to fizz here. It was the first of many in the summer 😉
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Is she just spectacular as Norma? At the risk of blasphemy, I prefer her to Callas in this part. I am not much champagne, other than in drinks, and Bellini is my new favorite, after years of Mimosa Sunday brunches. 😻
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[ Smiles ] An interesting beverage indeed!
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Thank you for stopping by, Renard! Cheers! 😻
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Thank you for sharing, Dolly!
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Thank you so much, dear Pranitha! 😻
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It was my pleasure, Dolly
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Thank you for pingback.
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Very interesting post as usual. Thanks for the sharing this amazing cocktail Dolly.
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Thank you so much, dear Sumith!
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Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Thank you for reblogging.
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Lovely so lovely! You give such enticing socials… 💕
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Thank you so much, darling! So do you, always! 😻
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I love to drink an icecold Bellini in summertime, sitting on my balcony and watching the sun slipping behind the dark horizon. But I didn’t know the story of this cocktail. Thank you for telling it so brilliant.
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Thank you so much, dear friend, for your lovely comment!
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Dolly, this was a fabulous way to start the new year with good taste in opera music, beverage and classic combination of Champagne with peach to create a Bellini. Delicious! 🎉
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Thank you so much, dear Robin; I am glad you like it! 😻
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Beautiful post – as usual
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Thank you so much, Joseph; I have a feeling you also appreciate the finer things in life!
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Reblogged this on koolkosherkitchen and commented:
According to https://foodimentary.com, today is a National Peach Pie day. Not that I don’t have a peach pie recipe; I just never got around to posting it. However, as we are on the “Norma” track today, here is a peach Bellini for you,Beautiful People, enhanced by yet another great diva, Montserrat Caballe. Cheers!
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Interesting story and great looking drink Dolly. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you so much, Gary.
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Excellent post – stunning recording
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Thank you so much, Derrick; I am glad you have enjoyed it.
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Sounds delightful. I enjoy the opera — though I have not been in many a year — and was once upon a time something of a Hemingway afficionado. These days, the drink will have to suffice (LOL)!
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Oh, but you have beautiful memories, dear friend!
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I am always fascinated also about your decoration ideas, Dr. Dolly. Thank you for bringing fun into cooking. 😉 Michael
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Thank you so much, dear Michael! This is a hobby of mine, and like every hobby, it is great fun. 😻
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That is a very great hobby, and every time i see your decoration i am feeling like in Versailles.
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Thank you so much, kind sir! But you have to realize something: if you have ever seen the Vienna Opera House, it is a slightly smaller version of Odessa Opera House, built by the same architect. I grew up among all this Baroque beauty and splendor, so the reference to Versailles, the epitomy of Baroque, is very apt.
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Oh yes, i understand. Growing up in the environment brings a lot of knowledge and style for the future. Great!
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Existence does precede essence, after all.
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🙂
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😻
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