in 1972, norman made her first appearance at la scala, where she sang the title role in verdi's "aida" and at the royal opera at covent garden, london, where she appeared as cassandra in "les troyens" by berlioz. norman was aida again in a concert version that same year in her first well-publicized american performance at the hollywood bowl for the venue's 50th anniversary celebration. this was followed by an all-wagner concert at the tanglewood music festival in lenox, massachusetts, and a recital tour of the country, after which she returned to europe for several engagements. norman briefly returned to the united states to give her first new york city recital as part of the "great performers" series in alice tully hall at lincoln center for the performing arts in 1973.