Bellini: La Sonnambula

In this elegiac universe, the arias sung by Amina, the kind-hearted young sleep-walker, are pure miracles of lunar poetry. For the first time at the Paris Opera Natalie Dessay sings one of the most beautiful roles of Italian romanticism. What a sense of refinement and finesse the 35 year-old Bellini possessed! This time, far from royal quarrels and feuds between famous historical characters, he finds his heroine in a small Swiss village. The modest and charming Amina is in fact a sleepwalker who, escaping from her bedroom, becomes another person as she wanders through the night. A score written in daydream where melody seems to be suspended in time and the heroine's very soul rises to the surface, and where instruments take on transparent water-colour tones. This elegiac universe is home to one of the most beautiful arias of the entire repertoire, "Ah, non credea mirarti”, a miracle of moonlit poetry. At the same time, Bellini portrays the cruellest of worlds – our own – where it is more than difficult for fragility and gentleness to make a place for themselves.

REPERTOIRE:	Vincenzo Bellini: La Sonnambula
ORCHESTRA:	Orchestra and choir of the Opéra national de Paris Co-production of the Vienna Staatsoper and of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Londres
PERFORMERS:	Natalie Dessay, Amina; Michele Pertusi, Il Conte Rodolfo; Cornelia Oncioiu, Teresa; Javier Camarena, Elvino; Marie-Adeline Henry, Lisa; Nahuel Di Pierro, Alessio; Nahuel Di Pierro, La Voce; Claudia Galli and Anna Wall, Due Cretesi
Artistic Staff:	Evelino Pidò, musical director; Marco Arturo Marelli, stage director and lighting; Dagmar Niefind, costume; Patrick Marie Aubert, choir master
PROG.NR.:	7927
GENRE:	Opera
PROG.LENGTH:	135'
DIRECTOR:	Don Kent
PRODUCERS:	Idéale Audience, in co-production with the Opéra national de Paris, NHK and Mezzo, in participation of France Televisions