Vincenzo Bellini: La Sonnambula

On March 6, 1831, “La Sonnambula” premiered with incredible success at the Teatro Carcano in Milan. The success is not surprising, for “La Sonnambula”, written to a libretto by Felice Romani, is an idyllic, classical and intense melodrama, characterized by an extremely fine, lyrical musicality and tension, oscillating between the ideals of the Classical and Romantic periods. A combination of tender and melancholic feelings, moving in its tragic suffering, in its natural, unspoilt and innocent atmosphere and humanity. Hugo De Ana has adequately translated these qualities in his production at the Teatro Lirico in 2007, with fascinating “living images” (with which he goes back to 17th century painting) and refined visual projections – a tribute to Luchino Visconti