LA SONNAMBULA " La Sonnambula " or " The Sleep-Walker," composed by Bellini, is a light opera in three acts, produced in Milan, March 6, 1831. The libretto by Romani is founded on a vaudeville-ballet by Scribe.
Amina, a sleep-walker, bride of Elvino.
Elvino, a rich young farmer.
Rodolfo, lord of the Castle, traveling incognito. Lisa, mistress of the Inn.
Alessio, a young peasant, suitor of Lisa.
Teresa, the miller's wife, foster-mother of Amina. Notary, postilion, peasants.
"La Sonnambula " is a simple Swiss village story, its hero being the prosperous young Elvino and its heroine Amina, an orphan girl dowered with nothing but her personal attractions, whom Elvino is about to wed. Lisa is infatuated with Elvino, and, in consequence, she scorns her lover, Alessio, and is willing to make use of any circumstance which may prevent the approaching union between Elvino and Amina. Alessio incurs further disfavor by organizing the demonstrations in honor of the approaching wedding. On the day before the ceremony, Count Rodolfo, incognito, comes back after many years to look after his estates and stops at the inn. Here he finds the pretty bride-elect and showers her with attentions, thereby disturbing Elvino and his peace of mind.
It happens that the fact that Amina is a sleep-walker is not generally known and her nocturnal appearances have given rise to a report that the village is haunted. Rodolfo, who ridicules the idea, seeks his apartment, whither he is lighted by Lisa, who stops for a bit of flirtation. Suddenly Amina enters walking in her sleep. The count gallantly quits his room, leaving her in possession, and she, still dreaming, lies down upon his couch. The malicious Lisa hastens to inform Elvino of the compromising situation in which he may find his bride. He rushes in, finds the charge confirmed and in high disdain demands his ring. Since he
is deaf to the protestations of the now awakened Amina, the count tries to convince him of his injustice but in vain. In a pique, Elvino promises Lisa that he will marry her.
It is Amina's foster-mother who finds Lisa's handker chief in Rodolfo's room and accuses her in turn. She shows confusion and Elvino begins to doubt her also. As Elvino, somewhat dejectedly, is repairing to the church with his new bride, Amina, again in a somnolent condition, is seen making perilous progress across a frail bridge over the mill-wheel. Her lover is now thoroughly persuaded of her innocence. He receives her in his arms, places his ring again upon her finger and, amid the rejoicing of her village friends, she awakens to happiness.
In this " song-play " as it may be called, Bellini's lyrical genius is delightfully disclosed. The work is pleasing, simple and natural, not only in melody but equally so in text, for in this, as in " Norma," the composer was fortunate in having the librettist best suited to his style, viz., Felice Romani. " La Sonnambula " has ever been coveted as a role by budding prima donnas, both Patti and Albani making their first bow to London as the sleep-walker.
The score abounds in charming numbers, among them being Amina's aria, " Come per me sereno " (" Oh love, for me thy power ") ; Rudolph's song, " Vi Ravviso " ("As I view ") ; the chorus of villagers as they tiptoe to Rudolph's apartment; the duet of Amina and Elvino, " 0 mio dolor " (" 0 my poor heart ") ; Elvino's aria, "Ah perche non posso " (" Still so gently ") and Amina's brilliant aria, with which the opera ends, "Ah 1 non giunge " (" Do not mingle ").