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.
9 La Sonnambula: Exit Count Rodolfo, and Other Love Duet
10 La Sonnambula: Lisa's Visit and Amina's Sleepwalking
11 La Sonnambula: Broken - Hearted Elvino
12 La Sonnambula: Elvino Still Feels Betrayed
13 La Sonnambula: Plot Revelations
14 La Sonnambula: The 'Mad' Scene
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.
