Bellini: La Sonnambula | Moffo, Vega, Clabassi, Galli - Bartoletti (RAI 1956-ENG SUB)

La Sonnambula
Composer: Vincenzo Bellini
Librettist: Felice Romani
Premiere: 6 March 1831, Milan (Teatro Carcano)
Language: Italian
Subtitles: English

La sonnambula (The Sleepwalker) is an opera semiseria in two acts, with music in the bel canto tradition by Vincenzo Bellini set to an Italian libretto by Felice Romani, based on a scenario for a ballet-pantomime written by Eugène Scribe and choreographed by Jean-Pierre Aumer called La somnambule, ou L'arrivée d'un nouveau seigneur. The ballet had premiered in Paris in September 1827 at the height of a fashion for stage works incorporating somnambulism.

The role of Amina was originally written for the soprano sfogato Giuditta Pasta and the tenor Giovanni Battista Rubini, but during Bellini's lifetime another soprano sfogato, Maria Malibran, was a notable exponent of the role. The first performance took place at the Teatro Carcano in Milan on 6 March 1831.

The phrase Ah! non credea mirarti / Sì presto estinto, o fiore ("I did not believe I would see you fade so soon, oh flower") from Amina's final aria is inscribed on Bellini's tomb in the Catania Cathedral in Sicily.

Cast & Characters:
Amina - Anna Moffo
Elvino - Danilo Vega
Rodolfo - Plinio Clabassi
Lisa - Gianna Galli
Alessio - Guido Mazzini
Notaro - Giuseppe Nessi
Teresa - Anna Maria Anelli

RAI Milano Orchestra & Chorus
Conductor: Bruno Bartoletti
Rec. 1956

Synopsis: ACT I
The inhabitants of a small Swiss village are celebrating the forthcoming marriage of the orphan Amina and the wealthy farmer Elvino. The feudal lord Rodolfo, who is returning home after the death of his father, arrives to stay at the inn, where he flirts with Lisa, the hostess.
Suddenly a window openv , through which enters Amina. Lisa, jealous of Amina and her engagement to Elvino, hurries off to tell him of his fiancée's seeming assignation with Rodolfo. Rodolfo realizes that Amina is sleepwalking and, moved by her somnambulistic declaration of love, he leaves her on his couch. Lisa and Elvino arrive to denounce Amina as an adulteress. Elvino calls off the wedding.

ACT II
The village rallies round the distraught Amina and marches towards the castle to beg Rodolfo for verification of Amina's innocence. Amina is met on the way by Elvino, who rejects her and takes back his ring. He has decided to marry Lisa, who publicly rejoices in her good fortune. Rodolfo attempts to explain the truth, but Elvino is unconvinced by the tale of his fiancées somnambulism. The crowd is then distracted by the sight of Amina walking across the roof of the mill. When she reaches the ground, she is heard praying for the return of Elvino's love. Moved by her devotion, Elvino replaces the ring on her finger. She wakes to find Elvino kneeling at her feet. The crowd rejoices as the lovers head towards the church and their wedding.