“La Somnambule”, one of Vincenzo Bellini’s masterpieces, was written during the winter of 1830-1831 along with “Norma” and “I Puritani”. The plot was inspired by the 1827 French ballet pantomime “La Somnambule, ou L'arrivée d'un nouveau seigneur”.
The story takes place in a village in Switzerland and follows how Amina sleepwalks into count Rodolfo’s room. This makes her fiancé Elvino accuse her of infidelity. The misunderstanding is resolved when it’s found out she walks in her sleep.
“La Somnambule” is a wonderful example of a bel canto opera. In it, the beautiful melody, long phrases and virtuose vocal techniques are prioritized, especially in the soprano role; the role in question was written especially for the great Primadonna Giuditta Pasta for whom Bellini would later also write “Norma”. The interpretation of the role requires a rare combination of innocence, charm and breathtaking vocal virtuosity.
We’re going to hear all this in Jessica Pratt’s performance: on the 8th of March, she’s going to perform the scene of Amina’s somnambulism from act II - Scende… Coraggio… è salva! – Ah! Non credea mirarti – Ah! Non giunge uman pensiero.
Conductor will be Daniel Oren.