The setting for Bellini's "Norma" in Roman-occupied Gaul, circa 50 B.C., is so distant and exotic that it might as well be mythic. But the romantic triangle at its heart is an easy configuration to understand in a new, persuasively melancholic production by the Baltimore Opera Company.

Those of us who are not Druids might find ourselves slightly baffled by sacred rituals enacted by the Druid priestess Norma in an oak grove. It's enough to know that these ancient rites are at the heart of her religious community, and that the Druid warriors are given inspiration to stand up to the occupying Roman forces. As for the gigantic brass gong that Norma strikes, well, that's just part of the spectacle in this Gallic gong show.

The basic dramatic situation actually is very easy to follow. The middle-aged Norma secretly has a longterm affair with a matinee idol-worthy Roman general, Pollione, and they have two small children to prove it. Pollione is eager for new conquests, however, and embarks on an affair with one of Norma's friends, a younger Druid priestess named Adalgisa.

Norma and Adalgisa initially don't realize that Pollione plays a major role in both their lives, so that eventual discovery gives the women plenty to discuss in their meetings in the oak grove. Pollione is planning to take Adalgisa back to Rome with him, lending these conversations between the priestess pals a sense of urgency.

Being a tragic heroine, Norma decides the ultimate payback would be to kill the two children fathered by Pollione. Although Bellini's source was an 1831 play by Alexandre Soumet, the opera obviously also takes inspiration from the Greek tragedy "Medea." In "Norma," hell hath no fury like a Druid woman scorned.

The somber emotions underscoring "Norma" are reflected in a gray-hued Baltimore Opera Company production that takes place in an oak grove dominated by a single huge tree. Roberto Oswald, who did the scenery, lighting and stage direction, and Anibal Lapiz, who did the costumes, give almost everything a grayish tone.

Although the traffic management on stage involves many priests, priestesses, soldiers and temple virgins, they're often arranged in groupings that would be static if it weren't for the music ably conducted by Christian Badea to keep things moving. The score's deft balance between heavy drama and more lyric touches often saves scenes that in this staging verge on the inert. It also helps, of course, that we're emotionally engaged by the romantic trio's melodramatic plight.

As Norma, soprano Hasmik Papian embodies the heroic dignity and fierce anger that the character needs. Her performance is less impressive in suggesting what's left of the intense love Norma felt for Pollione, which is crucial if one is to fully appreciate her anger about his amorous plans. In Papian's delivery of the opera's most famous aria, "Casta Diva," her admirable technical control would benefit from more emotional depth.

The "other" woman in this scenario, Adalgisa, is compellingly portrayed by Ruth Ann Swenson. Her intense performance puts across this young Druid priestess's blend of ardor, anger and confusion. Adalgisa loves the Roman general, but she's also genuinely devoted to Norma. There are lovely duets in act two between this production's Norma and Adalgisa, as they try to figure out how to resolve the amorous conflict.

As the arrogant man responsible for making two Druid woman happy and then unhappy, tenor Frank Porretta is suitably forceful as Pollione. His consistently strong voice is what one expects from a Roman general, but he also brings out the more tender feelings that ensure his character is not reduced to being a stereotypical macho man.

Among the supporting cast, the fine performances include bass baritone Hao Jiang Tian as Norma's father, Oroveso, a Druid high priest initially heard saying prayers to the god Irminsul. Oroveso is a formidable figure in an equally imposing opera.

When Oroveso leads prayers, this production's beautifully cohesive chorus responds with such conviction that the massed voices surely carry from the Lyric Opera House all the way up to Druid Hill Park.

The Baltimore Opera Company's "Norma" has its remaining performances Friday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday Nov. 23 at 3 p.m., at the Lyric Opera House at 140 W. Mount Royal Ave., in Baltimore. For ticket information, call 410-727-6000 or go to www.baltimoreopera.com.

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