4034) "Beloved Opera, Norma by Bellini", Republic of Italy (REPUBBLICA ITALIANA): 5 Euro Silver Colour and Proof Rectangular Coins issued by the IPZS: Date/Year of Coin issue: 24.06.2025:
The IPZS release new silver coins highlighting one of the
world’s most prestigious theatres.
Norma is a tragedia lirica or opera in two \acts by
Vincenzo Bellini with libretto by Felice Romani after the play “Norma”, ou “L'infanticide”
(“Norma”, or “The Infanticide”) by Alexandre Soumet.
It was first produced at La Scala in Milan on 26 December
1831.
The opera is regarded as a leading example of the bel
canto genre, and the soprano prayer "Casta diva" in Act 1 is a famous
piece.
Among the well known singers of Norma of the first half
of the 20th century was Rosa Ponselle who played the role in New York and
London. Notable exponents of the title role in the post-war period have been Giuditta Pasta, Maria Callas, Leyla Gencer, Joan Sutherland, and Montserrat Caballé.
The first opera singer to perform Norma at La Scala is
recreated on the obverse.
The latest coin in the series focussing on Italian Arts is
a timeless tribute to Italian opera and in particular to Norma, Vincenzo
Bellini's masterpiece.
The theme also focusses on the incomparable Teatro alla
Scala in Milan which hosted its first performance in 1831.
Celebrated for its
finely shaped melodies and exquisite arias, Bellini‘s powerful opera is full of
ravishing music. Norma is set in Roman-occupied Gaul - modern-day France around
50 BC and tells the story of a Druid high priestess in ancient Gaul.
She
secretly has two children with the Roman proconsul Pollione, breaking her vows
of chastity. When Pollione abandons her for the young priestess Adalgisa, Norma
grapples with betrayal, revenge, and ultimately, self-sacrifice. The opera
culminates in Norma confessing her infidelity and choosing to die with Pollione
at the stake, showcasing her nobility and strength.
In the title role of Norma was Giuditta Pasta (1797 -
1865) the reigning Italian soprano Prima Donna of her time, acclaimed for her
vocal range and expressiveness.
Pasta’s vocal range and dramatic power were so
remarkable that several leading composers wrote operas for her, notably
Vincenzo Bellini who composed Norma, and which she debuted at the Teatro alla
Scala in December 1831.
The Coin:
- The Reverse of the rectangular-shaped 5 Euro Silver proof and colour coins are
designed by Annalisa Masini who features a portrait of Giuditta Pasta, the
first opera singer to perform Norma at the Teatro alla Scala, painted by
François Gérard.
- The design is surrounded by elements of the portrait’s
original frame from the mid-19th century.
- Above the primary design is the
coin’s denomination "CINQUE EURO" and below, the name of the artist "GIUDITTA
PASTA" and opera, "NORMA".
The Obverse of the rectangular-shaped 5 Euro Silver proof and colour coins features a view of the Teatro alla
Scala in Milan with its official logo underneath.
The design is surrounded by
elements of Giuditta Pasta’s original portrait frame from the mid-19th century.
Above the primary design is the text "REPUBBLICA ITALIANA" (the issuing country) and below along the
lower periphery is the letter "R" (mintmark of the Mint of Rome) and "2025", (the year of
issue).
The specifications of this Coin are:
Denomination Metal Weight Dimensions Quality Mintage
Limit
5 Euro .925
Silver 18 g. 26.3 / 35 mm. Proof &
Colour 4000
- Available from the 24th June, the coin is specially
encapsulated to accommodate its shape and presented in a heavy-gauge card case
with magnetic closure.
The Twelve Apostles Coin Series:
1) "The Twelve Apostles", Vatican City: The Twelve Apostles Coin Series: The first Silver Coins of 5- and 10-Euro minted by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato" (IPZS) on behalf of "Coommercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica" (CFN) feature St. Peter & St. Andrew: Date of Coins issued: 10.11.2022
2) St.Andrew, Vatican Mint: A 10 Euro 22-gm Silver Proof Coin: The second Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2022
3) St. Peter and the Rooster star on latest Vatican 20 Euro coin issued by the CFN (Commercialzzone Filatelica E Numasmatica - Vatican City): "Art and Faith Coin Series: Year of Coin issue: 2024
4) St. Bartholomew, Vatican Mint: A 10 Euro 22 gm Silver Proof Coin: The Sixth Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2024
5) St. John, Vatican Mint: A 5 Euro 22-gm Silver Proof Coin: The Third Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2023
6) St. James the Greater, Vatican Mint: A 10 Euro 22-gm Silver Proof Coin: The Fourth Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2023
7) Saint Philip, Vatican Mint: A 5 Euro 22-gm Silver Prfoof Coin: The Fifth Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Dare/Year of Coin issue: 2024
For some other interesting posts from Italy/The Vatican, please visit the following links:
The Fountains of Italy Coin Series:
Other Links:
35) St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican (San Pietro in Vaticano), Republic of Palau: "Tiffany Art Metropolis Coin Series - San Pietro": Coin Invest Trust (CIT) has coordinated the issue of $500 (Gold) and $25 (Silver Coins minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt GmbH at their facilities in Munich: Year of Coin issue: 2022
36) "The Twelve Apostles", Vatican City: The Twelve Apostles Coin Series: The first Silver Coins of 5- and 10-Euro minted by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato" (IPZS) on behalf of "Coommercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica" (CFN) feature St. Peter & St. Andrew: Date of Coins issued: 10.11.2022
37) "Towards the Holy Year 2025", Vatican City: A 200 Euro Gold Coin issued by the Commercializzazone Filatelica e Numismatica (CFN) to commemorate the three-year programme (2022-2023-2024) culminting in 2025: Date/Year of Coin issue: 19.12.2022
38) "Bergamo and Brescia", Italy: Five Euro Commemorative Copper Coins issued by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) showcases the designated Italian Cultural Capital Cities: Date/Year of Coin issue: 20.02.2023
39) Luigi Vanvitelli (12.05.1700-01.03.1773), Architect and Painter, Italy: 250th Anniversary of his passing away: Five Euro (Silver) and Twenty Euro (Gold) Coins issued by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) commemorate this celebrated Baroque Era Architect: Date/Year of Coin issue: 21.02.2023
40) "The Lateran Pacts between the Italian State and the Holy See", Vatican City State: 90th Anniversary Celebrations (1929-2019): The Ufficio Filetelco E. Numismatico (Office of the Philatelic and Numismatic Bureau of the Vatican) has issued an embroidered postage stamp of 8.40 Euro depicting the Coat of Arms of the Vatican City State: Date/Year of Stamp issue: 2019 (Reissued on 12.12.2022)
41) Environmental Protection as enshrined in the Italian Constitution, Italy: A Square-shaped bi-metallic Silver and Copper 5 Euro Coin brought out by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) highlights environmental protection in the Italian constitution: Date of Coin issue: 27.04.2023
42) "The Resurrection of Christ" ("CHRISTVS RESVRREXIT"), Vatican City State: Rectangular-shaped Silver Proof and Colour Coins feature Renaissance painter Pietro Vannucci's (also known as "Perugino") masterpiece, presently in the Apostolic Palace Library: Date/Year of Coin issue: 04/2023
43) The Second Vatican Council - Nostra Aetate (In Our Time), Vatican City State: A 100 Euro Gold Coin minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) at their facilities in Rome on behalf of the Treasury Department of the Vatican City State: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2023
44) The history of the Olympics in Italy - TRiTTICO Cortina 1956, Rome 1960, Turin 2006, Republic of Italy (Repubblica Italiana): Three 20 Euro Gold Coins issued by the Istututo Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) celebrate the selection of 2026 Winter Olympics in the City of Cortino Italy: Date/Year of Coin issue: 07.09.2023
45) A Euro Coin Set - 2018, Vatican City State: An eight (8) Coin Set issued by the Commercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica on Euro Coins: Coins minted by the IPZS Italy on behalf of the "Stato Della Citta Del Vaticano" (The Vatican City State") in 2018
46) Remembrance to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Vatican City: Coins issued by Commercializzazione Filetelica e Numismatica on 10 Euro Silver Coins: Coins minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) Italy on behalf of the "Stato Della Citta Del Vaticano" ("The Vatican City State"): Date of Coin issue: 26.10.2023
47) The Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) at their facilities in Rome on behalf of the Treasury Department of the Vatican City State has issued the first of two commemorative 10 Euro coins which mark 2025 and the Holy Year Pilgrims of Hope: Date/Year of Coins issue: 12/2023
48) Pesaro, Italy: The Italian City designatied as the 2024 European Capital of Culture (ECOC):Date of Coin issue: 26.01,2024
49) Around the World Voyage of the Amerigo Vespucci, Italy's oldest Naval Vessel: A 5 Euro Silv er Proof & Colour Coin presents the voyage of the v essel: Date of Coin issue: 08.03.2024
50) St. Peter and the Rooster star on latest Vatican 20 Euro coin issued by the CFN (Commercialzzone Filatelica E Numasmatica - Vatican City: "Art and Faith Coin Series: Year of Coin issue: 2024;
51) Pope Francis Coin Card, Vatican City: A 1 Euro Base Metal Coin: The Commercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica " (CFN) has issued a 1 Euro Copper Coin minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zella dello State (or State Mint and Polygraphic Institute - IPZS), Italy: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2024
52) The Vatican Coin Set: The "Commercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica" (CFN) has issued an eight (8) Copper-Nickel (CuNi) Coin Set minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato ("State Mint and Poligraphic Institute - IPZS"), Italy: Date/Year of Coin set issue: 2024
53) Concordat between the Holy See and the Republic of Poland, Poland: Rectangular Silver Proof Coins Mark the 100th Anniversary of the conclusion of the Concordat (1925-2025): Date/Year of Coin issue: 06.02.2025
54) Did You Know Series (103): Between One Pope and the Next - the Sede Vacante (meaning "Vacant Seat:) Coins are issued:
55) Cardinal Robert Prevost is Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Pope, United States of America (USA): A 1-oz Silver Election of Pope Leo XIV Round: Date/Year of Round issue: 08.05.2025
56) The Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii and Pope Francis: Citta Del Vaticano (Vatican City): The IPZS, Italy (in English, it translates to State Printing Works and Mint) has minted a 50 Euro Gold Coin which features a kneeling Late Pope Francis on one face and The Shrine on the other:: Year of Coin issue: 2015
57) The Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii and Pope Francis, CITTA DEL VATICANO (Vatican City): The Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS), Italy (In English, it translates to State Printing Works and Mint) has minted a 20 Euro Gold Coin which features Late Pope Francis on one face and the Virgin Mary with a crown sitting on a throne and holding the baby Jesus Christ, with angels kneeling on the sides, on the other: Year of Coin issue: 2015
58) "Beloved Opera, Norma by Bellini, Republic of Italy (Repubblica Italiana): 5 Euro Silver Colour and Proof Rectangular Coins issued b y the IPZS" Date/Year of Coin issue: 24.06.2025
Links to Posts on Marco Polo on this Blog:
1) Marco Polo, Explorer, Italy (1254-8/9.01.1324): A 10 Euro Silver Coin issued by Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca di Stato, the Italian State Mint (2018)
2) Marco Polo (1254-1324), Venetian Traveller, Italy: The royal Dutch Mint (RDM) has brought out this special Silver strike of a Gold florin: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2024
Posts on the Ryder Cup on this Blog:
i) The 2014 Ryder Cup Commemorative Banknote: Commemorating the Ryder Cup, Europe with a 5 Pound Sterling Banknote issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland
ii) The 44th Ryder Cup held in Italy: 10 Euro Silver Coins with applied colour and concave centre brought out by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) marks the conduct of the prestigious Ryder Cup in Italy for the first time: Date of Coin issue: 18.09.2023
Italian Excellence Coin Series:
Rajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very interesting post 👍"
Thank you so much, Trikha sahab
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