La Sonnambula (The Sleepwalker) - Vincenzo Bellini
Information about the opera La Sonnambula by Vincenzo Bellini, and the best recordings available on CD or DVD, or for download.
An implausible plot, but Amina is the best soprano role in Italian opera.
Recommended recordings on CD
Marchi/Bartoli/Flórez (L'Oiseau-Lyre 478 1084DHO2)
An excellent new recording pairing Bartoli and Flórez in the main roles.
Zurich Opera House Chorus, La Scintilla Orchestra, Zürich, conducted by Alessandro De Marchi.
Cast: Cecilia Bartoli (Amina), Juan Diego Flórez (Elvino), Ildebrando D'Arcangelo (Count Rodolfo), Liliana Nikiteanu (Teresa).
L'Oiseau-Lyre 478 1084DHO2
Viotti/Gruberova/Bros (Nightingale Classics NC 000041-2)
A production by Bavarian Radio with superb recorded sound.
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, conducted by Marcello Viotti.
Cast: Edita Gruberova (Amina), José Bros (Elvino), Roberto Scandiuzzi (Count Rodolfo), Gloria Banditelli (Teresa).
Nightingale Classics NC 000041-2
Zedda/Orgonasova/Giménez (Naxos 8.660042-3)
A first-class live performance.
Netherlands Radio Chamber Orchestra, Netherlands Radio Chorus, conducted by Alberto Zedda, 11/12/1992.
Cast: Luba Orgonasova (Amina), Raúl Giménez (Elvino), Francesco Ellero d'Artegna (Count Rodolfo), Alexandra Papadjakou (Teresa).
Naxos 8.660042-3
Votto/Callas/Monti (Naxos Historical 8.111284-85)
A classic studio recording, remastered from EMI's original LPs.
Milan La Scala Orchestra, Milan La Scala Chorus, conducted by Antonino Votto, 1957.
Cast: Maria Callas (Amina), Nicola Monti (Elvino), Nicola Zaccaria (Count Rodolfo), Fiorenza Cossotto (Teresa).
Naxos Historical 8.111284-85 (mono)
Bonynge/Sutherland/Monti (Decca 448 966-2)
Arguably the finest recording of La Sonnambula.
Bavarian Radio Chorus, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Richard Bonynge, 1962.
Cast: Dame Joan Sutherland (Amina), Nicola Monti (Elvino), Margreta Elkins (Count Rodolfo), Giovanni Foiani (Teresa).
Decca 448 966-2