Opera - La Sonnambula - Synopsis

 

Roles:

1. Amina - The foster daughter of Teresa - Soprano
2. Elvino - A young farmer - Tenor
3. Lisa - The owner of the village inn - Soprano
4. Teresa - The owner of the village mill - Soprano
5. Count Rodolfo - Lord of the Castle - Bass
6. Villages - Chorus

ACT 1

The preparations for Elvino and Amina's wedding are under way at the Swiss village square. Everyone is very happy for them except Lisa, who was once engaged to Elvino. 

Amina expresses her happiness to Teresa, the woman that raised her after her parents death. 

Elvino arrives late at the square for the signing of the contract. However, he offers Amina a bouget of flowers to apologize for being late.  

A stranger arrives. The stranger is Count Rodolfo in disguise whom expresses his love for this place and agrees to stay at the local inn. He notices Amina and is impressed by her resemblance to an old love of his. 

Teresa informs the stranger that the village is haunted and Count Rodolfo wants to see the ghost.

Elvino and Amina quarrel over Count Rodolfo's attention to Amina but soon Elvino apologizes for his jealousy. 

When the Count arrives at the inn, is identified by Lisa as the heir of the late count. 

They flirt together when suddenly Lisa hears a noise and hides in the closet. Her handkerchief falls on the floor. 

The sleepwalker, Amina, walks in the room and the count thinks that she is the village "ghost". Lisa on the contrary believes that Amina is there to meet the count.

The Count, who watched the Amina's celebrations for he wedding and the way she looked at Elvino, let her fall asleep in his bed. 

The villagers however decide to visit the inn and talk to the Count. Everyone is shook to find Amina in his bed. 

Amina wakes up and supports her innocence, however Elvino is heartbroken and calls the wedding off.

Teresa takes Lisa's handkerchief.

ACT 2

The villages walk to Count Rodolfo's castle to find out the truth about Amina. 

Amina and Teresa want to talk to Elvino. However, he is lamenting his loss and takes the ring off Amina's hand.

The villages confirm to Elvino that the Count has confirmed Amina's innocence and that he wants to talk to him, however Elvino refuses to see him.

While heartbroken, Elvino decides to marry Lisa. They are getting ready to go to the church before they are interrupted by Count Rodolfo's arrival.

Count Rodolfo confirms that Almina was sleepwalking.

Teresa asks them to be quiet since Almina has fallen asleep. She cannot believe that Lisa is about to get married to Elvino, where Elvino insists that Lisa was not found in another man's room. 

Teresa hands Lisa handkerchied back to her. That was the moment that Elvino understood that Amina was lying to him. 

Amina appears sleepwalking near a cliff. The villages pray and help her to get back to safety. 

While sleeping, Amina mourns the loss of Elvino.

Elvino believing her innocence approaches her and put her wedding ring on her finger. 

Amina wakes up and her sadness was now turned into joy.

You can read more facts about the opera La Sonnambula in the blog: Opera - La Sonnambula - Facts about the opera 

You can read more about Amina's Aria in the blog: Opera - La Sonnambula - Aria - "Ah Non Credea mirarti"

Reference:

The Metropolitan Opera - Synopsis

Music with Ease - Characters

2023