Operantics Presents La Sonnambula
Operantics Sydney’s youngest opera company presents Bellini’s bel canto masterpiece, La Sonnambula (The Sleepwalker), following their recent successful presentations of Cosi fan Tutte, Mansfield Park, Gentleman’s Island and The Telephone.
La Sonnambula started life in Paris in 1827 as a ballet, at the height of a fashion for stage works incorporating somnambulism. Its first operatic performance took place in Milan in 1831. With its pastoral setting and romantic, thrilling story, it was an immediate success and has since become a favourite among opera companies worldwide.
In an idyllic mountain village, the villagers are preparing the wedding celebrations for Amina and Elvino. Complications arise with the arrival of a mysterious stranger… not to mention Lisa, Elvino’s spurned former lover, scheming in the background. And what of the ghost that’s rumoured to haunt the village?
Bellini was the quintessential composer of the Italian bel canto style the early 19th century and La Sonnambula joins his other most famous works Norma and I Puritani as an enduring favourite of music lovers everywhere. The phrase Ah! non credea mirarti / Sì presto estinto, o fiore (“I did not believe you would fade so soon, oh flower”) from Amina’s final aria is inscribed on Bellini’s tomb in the Catania Cathedral in Sicily.
Produced by Katie Miller-Crispe with musical direction from conductor Keiren Brandt-Sawdy and Nathaniel Kong at the piano, this final Operantics production for 2016 features a colourful set designed by Emily Stuart-Jones & Ian Warwick and spectacular costumes by Ian Warwick & Victoria Parsons.
The cast showcases young Australian opera talent with Joelene Griffith as Amina, Michael Butchard as Elvino, Christopher Nazarian as Count Rodolfo, Jermaine Chau as Teresa, Katie Miller-Crispe as Lisa, Christopher Curcuruto as Alessio and Daniel Folesi as the Notary. In the chorus are Mikayla Tate, Stephanie Jones, Charlotte Campbell, Joann Balasuriya, Bryan Tabada, Gerard Atkinson and Ian Warwick.
Tickets $45 | $35 conc | $25 student | $15 child under 12
Bookings: www.operantics.com.au or www.theindependent.org.au phone 9409 4462
