La sonnambula was written by Bellini as a vehicle for two of the supreme singers of his age and accordingly is a fine example of the school we call bel canto, where beauty of voice and the virtuosity of the singers is integral to conveying the emotions in the soul of the composer. The fact that Bellini was one of the great melodists, writing long, beautiful vocal lines, that he was a master orchestrator and that he could write stirringly for the chorus all conspire to make La sonnambula an extremely enjoyable example of Italian opera in it's prime.

Tracklist:

Background: Introduction
Background: Rossini And Donizetti
Background: Bellini - His Life And Other Operas
La Sonnambula: The Plot And Bel Canto
La Sonnambula: Prelude And Lisa's Cavatina
La Sonnambula: Amina's Entrance
La Sonnambula: Amina And Elvino's Love Duet
La Sonnambula: Enter Count Rodolfo
La Sonnambula: Exit Count Rodolfo, And Other Love Duet
La Sonnambula: Lisa's Visit And Amina's Sleepwalking
La Sonnambula: Broken-Hearted Elvino
La Sonnambula: Elvino Still Feels Betrayed
La Sonnambula: Plot Revelations
La Sonnambula: The 'Mad' Scene

UPC: 636943817520
Label: Naxos Educational
Release Date: 11.18.08
Format: CD

David Timson - Introduction to Sonnambula: Opera Explained (CD)