La Sonnambula premiered to enormous success in Milan in 1831, with critics noting its departure from Rossini's musical style.
Notable Performances
The triumphant reception of La Sonnambula was largely attributed to its two star performers, Giuditta Pasta and Giovanni Battista Rubini, for whom the opera was tailored.
Composition History
Bellini's opera La Sonnambula was originally intended to be an Ernani, based on Victor Hugo's drama, but the subject was abandoned due to police interference.
Composition History
The libretto for La Sonnambula, by Felice Romani, was an adaptation of a French comédie-vaudeville and a ballet-pantomime, both titled La Somnambule.
Composer Biography
Vincenzo Bellini, unlike many of his contemporaries, did not experience the hardships of working his way up, achieving success at major Italian opera houses early in his career.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Bellini redeemed the dramatically lightweight libretto of La Sonnambula with his wonderful melodic invention, particularly in Amina's final aria, 'Ah, non credea mirarti'.
