La Sonnambula (The Sleepwalker)

Vincenzo Bellini. World Premiere: Teatro Carcano, Milan 6 March 1831.
First Performance at the Royal Opera House 14 June 1833.
The opera is set in a Swiss village in the early 19th century.

ACT I

Amina's approaching wedding with Elvino is being celebrated. Only Elvino's former lover Lisa is sad. She cannot resign herself to the attentions of her new admirer, Alessio. During the engagement ceremony Elvino presents Amina with the ring of his recently deceased mother.

A stranger arrives. It is Count Rodolfo, a native of the region; however, due to an absence of many years, nobody recognizes him. Amina attracts his admiration, thus provoking Elvino's jealousy. Amina's foster mother, Teresa, finally breaks up the gathering by warning of a dreaded phantom who haunts the area at night. Amina is left alone to calm Elvino's jealousy. Lisa, having guessed the Count's real identity, begins to flirt with him. Amina enters the room, sleepwalking. She is dreaming of Elvino. Alone with her, the Count restrains himself from taking advantage of the lovely, half-dressed young woman. Lisa quickly fetches Elvino; when the bridegroom finds Amina sleeping, wrapped in Rodolfo's coat, the situation seems self-explanatory. Only Teresa comforts the rejected and desperate Amina.

Interval

ACT II

Elvino is distraught. Amina's protestations of her innocence are useless; he takes the ring from her finger and breaks off the engagement. Lisa already sees herself as Elvino's new bride. The Count tries to clear up the false accusations, explaining that Amina was sleepwalking and is not guilty of any wrongdoing. But he cannot convince Elvino. When Teresa finds out about Elvino's new wedding plans, she reveals what she saw happening between Lisa and the Count the night before. Elvino sees himself also betrayed by his second bride.

As Count Rodolfo is trying to save the situation by insisting on Amina's innocence, she appears sleepwalking again. Seeing her in this state, Elvino understands how the situation arose the evening before. He embraces her again as his bride; Amina sings her happiness.

- Royal Opera House, Covent Garden