La sonnambula

 

‘Succeeds on every level’ – The Stage

‘Soprano Ziyi Dai’s UK debut is an impressive calling card‘ – The Times

‘Adrian Kelly balances the dramatic pulse and airy flow of Bellini’s set pieces with skill’ – The Times

 

A Buxton International Festival Production, with the Northern Chamber Orchestra

Vincenzo Salvatore Carmelo Francesco Bellini (1801–1835).

This opera of jilted-love, jealousy and innocence-rewarded was Bellini’s first great masterpiece and remains his most important work, alongside Norma. It premiered in Milan in 1831 and became renowned for its exhilarating melodies and dazzling vocal pyrotechnics.

The theme of sleepwalking fascinated the public of the day, and Bellini explores all the musical possibilities of this mysterious phenomenon and the complex moods of his heroine взять займ 10000 на карту без отказа. Amina is engaged to Elvino and everyone in the community, bar one, is looking forward to their wedding. When a mysterious stranger, Rodolfo, arrives his admiration for Amina provokes jealousy and misunderstanding. A crisis is reached when Amina is discovered in Rodolfo’s room late at night. She is in fact a sleepwalker, a somnambulist – but will Elvino believe her? In the hands of another composer the subject material might seem simple, but the story is the perfect complement to the inspired purity of Bellini’s melodic style.

La sonnambula will be conducted by Adrian Kelly and directed by Harry Fehr. Many will remember Harry Fehr’s acclaimed production of another Bellini opera at BIF, I Capuleti e I Montecchi, in 2016, which was, coincidentally, the last Bellini opera performed at BIF. He has established an international reputation for thought-provoking productions explored through clear storytelling.

‘Bellini is the master of bel canto.  While the story is very gentle and sweet-natured, the music is sublime, and showcases the art of operatic singing at its finest. For me it suits Buxton down to the ground because it’s a very strong piece of music which is known, but it really doesn’t get performed all that often’.

Adrian Kelly, BIF’s Artistic Director 

Sung in Italian with English side-titles.

 

CAST

Ziyi Dai Amina

Nico Darmanin Elvino, engaged to Amina

Simon Shibambu Rodolfo

Ellie Neate Lisa

Ann Taylor Teresa, Amina’s adoptive mother

Jacob Bettinelli Alessio

 

CREATIVE TEAM

Adrian Kelly Conductor

Harry Fehr Director

Nick Bond Assistant Director

Nicky Shaw Set Designer

Zahra Mansouri Costume Designer

Jake Wiltshire Lighting Designer