The opera, Norma, was composed in 1831 by Vincenzo Bellini. It is best know for the bel canto aria "Casta Diva", which is the basis for one of Arban's cornet solos. The overture to the opera also translates well to brass instruments and is featured in this arrangement for trumpet septet, with Trumpet 1 doubling on piccolo trumpet and the lowest part intended for flugelhorn. Bellini's Romantic writing packs a wide range of emotions into under five minutes, enabling this short arrangement to showcase both the technical and the lyrical abilities of the trumpet.