La Sonnambula
Vincenzo Bellini
La Sonnambula is one of the most beautiful lyrical pages of Italian Romanticism. The young South African soprano Pretty Yende, a rising star of her generation, is set to shine in this opera.
Riccardo Frizza | direction
Rolando Villazón | staging
Johannes Leiacker | sets
Philippe Giraudeau | choreography
Brigitte Reiffenstuel | costumes
Davy Cunningham | lights
Pretty Yende | Amina
Alexander Tsymbalyuk | Rodolfo
Francesco Demuro | Elvino
Annunziata Vestri | Teresa
Sandra Hamaoui | Lisa
Marc Scoffoni | Alessio
Orchestre de chambre de Paris
Chœur de Radio France | direction Sylvie Leroy
Maîtrise des Hauts-de-Seine | direction Gaël Darchen
Sung in Italian, with French and English subtitles
La Sonnanbula, created a few months before Norma, was a considerable success throughout the 19th century. The theme of sleepwalking fascinated the Romantic period, which was eager for mysterious phenomena. Here Bellini explored all the musical possibilities that could convey the complex moods of his heroine, the innocent victim of an unknown evil. The opera features some of the most beautiful soprano arias from the bel canto repertoire. Thus it is to Amina that the large, ample and colourful arias are destined, requiring special qualities from her singer: crystal-clear and luminous highs, long and supple breathing without forgetting a great deal of agility in the singing. A lineage of prestigious singers has shone here, from the creator of the role, Giuditta Pasta, to the Malibran and Callas and, closer to France, Natalie Dessay. The young south african Pretty Yende should in her turn skillfully interpret the expressive range of the character against Francesco Demuro's Elviro. A couple and a cast that will be able to count on the experience of Rolando Villazón, who is directing his first production in Paris. The Italian conductor, Riccardo Frizza, will be conducting the Orchestre de chambre de Paris, an ensemble that has already proven itself in this belcantist repertoire.
NEW PRODUCTION
COPRODUCTION Théâtre des Champs-Elysées / Semperoper Dresden / Metropolitan Opera / Opéra de Nice Côte d’Azur
France Musique broadcasts this opera.
En partenariat avec france.tv
You may also like
La Folle Soirée de l’Opéra
Another Folle Soirée event devoted to opera organised by Radio Classique.
La Belle Hélène
Ending the season on a high note, with an opera-buffa and Offenbach's gem: a great way to ease into the summer break.
La Fille de Madame Angot
Lecocq’s Madame Angot was a triumph when it was created, then it was forgotten. A talented team of French singers is putting her back in the spotlight with great enthusiasm.