On March 14, Bellini's "La Sonnambula" will return to the Metropolitan Opera after a five-year absence.
The opera is known for its rich melodies but also for it lackluster plot that features a very famous sleepwalking scene.
Ever since the premiere of the work at the Met, the opera has been revived very inconsistently. The work was first shown in 1883 with Marcella Sembrich in the role of Amina and Italo Campini in the role of Elvino. The production was directed by Mr. Corani and Mr. Abbiati. The opera received mixed reviews with the New York Times criticizing Sembrich. The critic stated, "Sembrich devotes her throat and her head to her profession, she has not thought it worth her while to take her heart into her artistic confidence. Brilliant she is beyond a doubt - but it is the cold glitter of the distant glacier." That season the opera was only performed five times
In 1891, the opera received another six performances and the production was directed by Theodore Habelmann. The opera featured Marie Van Zandt in her Met debut as well as Enrico Giannini-Grifoni in his debut.
The opera disappeared for 14 years and did not return until 1905 in December. The opera was featured twice in the season and brought a huge crowd as it featured Sembrich reprising her Amina and famed tenor Enrico Caruso. Caruso in particular obtained great reviews with critics praising his legato and mezza voce.
Four years later the opera was revived for another two performances. This time the opera was performed in conjunction with Coppelia's act one. The opera starred Elvira de Hidalgo as Amina and Alessandro Bonci as Elvino. The opera also starred Andres de Segurola as Rodolfo.
In 1916 the opera was revived for another five performances with Maria Barrientos as Amina and Giacomo Damacco as Elvino. The opera received a mixed reception from the audience. On opening night half of the audience left before Barrientos sang her famous aria "Ah, Non Giunge," which is supposed to be a showstopper. The soprano received raves but critics noted that her voice was inconsistent.
The opera disappeared for 16 years and was revived in 1932. The work received a new production by Alexander Sanine and featured Lily Pons in the title role. Beniamino Gigli played Elvino while Ezio Pinza sang the role of Rodolfo. For the three performances that season Tulio Serafin conducted the Met Opera Orchestra.
A year later Pons reprised the role with Giacomo Lauri-Volpi as Elvino. Pinza reprised the role of Rodoflo while Serafin presided over the podium. The opera was performed another three times.
Two seasons later Pons would return for two performances with Alfio Tedesco as Elvino.
Pons would be the last performer to sing the role in 28 years. The opera would reappear in 1963 in a new production by Henry Butler. Silvio Varviso conducted Joan Sutherland in the role of Amina while Nicolai Gedda sang the role of Elvino. Giorgio Tozzi portrayed Rodoflo. The soprano, who was famous from the role, received rave reviews. Musical America wrote, "We can assume that the sold-out house came to hear Sutherland and not because they were anticipating a moving musical experience. Well, they got their money's worth-she was in excellent form. Her coloratura was flexible and brilliant, her high notes superb. We counted at least three high E-flats." The opera would be performed 10 times that season.
The following season Sutherland reprised her famed interpretation as well as Tozzi for another 10 performances. John Alexander took over the role of Elvino while Varviso conducted.
Sutherland would reprise the role in 1968 for another 10 performances before it disappeared for four years.
In 1972 Renata Scotto took over the production for seven performances. She starred alongside Gedda, Tozzi and Loretta di Franco. Carlo Felice Cillario made his Met debut conducting the work.
The work later disappeared for another 37 years. Singers and directors were not convinced by the plot and as result there were no sopranos who would take on the iconic role. In 2009 Mary Zimmerman would direct a new version of the work set in a dress rehearsal room. The opera was performed nine times and the production was booed on opening night. For the run Natalie Dessay made her Met role debut with tenor Juan Diego Florez. Both singers received rave reviews.
This year soprano Diana Damrau takes on the role for the first time. She will make her role debut as Amina. The run will also star Javier Camarena with Marco Armiliato conducting the work.
The opera will be performed six times.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
