#sonnambula

La Sonnambula (1831), by Vincenzo Bellini.

Opera in 2 acts considered as the first succes of the composer. Bellini composed 11 operas.

The most famous are : La Sonnambula, Norma, Il Pirata, I Puritani.

Callas was called back on stage not less of 20 times with the maestro and with the others singers.

- Notable aria (Amina) :

• “Sovra il sen la man mi posa” (from Act I).

• “Ah non credea mirarti” ( Famous sleepwalking scene, from Act II).

Ah, non credea mirarti si presto estinto, o fiore;

Passasti al par d’amore, che un giorno sol(o) duro.

Potria novel vigore il pianto mio recarti

Ma ravvivar l’amore il pianto mio, ah no, non puo.

Translation :

Ah, je ne croyais pas te voir si tôt morte, ô fleur chérie,

Tu as vécu comme l'amour qui ne dura qu'un seul jour.

Peut-être que mes larmes pourront t’apporter une nouvelle vigueur,

Mais raviver l'amour, mes larmes ne le pourront pas, ah non !

Everyone hates Sonnambula. I understand sopranos and tenors hating it, because both Amina and Elvino's parts are HELL to sing, but the audiences? The music is heaven, ste plot is simple but not as stupid or unintelligible like some other operas in the repertory (Trovatore... 😈) and it's not incredibly long. I know, I have a soft spot for straightforward good and innocent characters (I like Don Ottavio...😅) and Amina is one of them, so? Not a bad thing that happens to her is her fault. My inner Cinderella can only empathize with her.