Baltimore Opera Company

Study Guide

La Sonnambula
The Sleepwalker

The Story

Act I

The entire village is celebrating the upcoming marriage of Amina, the foster child of Teresa, and Elvino, a young landowner. Lisa, the innkeeper, grows jealous because she is in love with Elvino. Even Alessio's flirtations can't lighten her mood. Amina enters with Teresa and thanks her friends and neighbors for their good wishes (“Come per me sereno”). The Notary and Elvino arrive, and the engagement contract is signed (“Prendi l'avel ta dono”). The celebrations are interrupted, however, by the arrival of a handsome army officer on his way to the castle. Lisa and the villagers convince him to spend the night at the inn before continuing on his way. Little do they realize that the officer is Rodolfo, lord of the castle. Rodolfo is enchanted by Amina (“Tu non sai in quel begli occhi”), which leaves Elvino none too pleased. Before he can say much, Teresa warns the village that it's time to retire for the evening, before the phantom that haunts the region arrives. As the crowd disperses, Elvino and Amina argue about her response to Rodolfo's attention, but they reconcile before parting ways.

Act II

Rodolfo enters his room at the inn, accompanied by Lisa, who informs him that the villagers have discovered his identity as lord of the castle and will be coming shortly to give him a proper welcome. He pushes his annoyance aside in order to focus his attentions more directly on Lisa, who is happy to receive them. They are startled, however, by a noise, and she leaps into the next room to hide, dropping her handkerchief in her rush. A moment later, Rodolfo is amazed to see Amina enter his room through the window. She is dressed in her white nightgown, and he instantly realizes that she is sleepwalking, and that she is actually the source of the myth of the village phantom. Not wishing to embarrass her by waking her, Rodolfo blows out the candles and exits through the window. Amina, still asleep, climbs into his bed. The villagers enter and, seeing a female form in his bed, are about to discretely make their exit when Lisa enters with a light, dragging Elvino behind her. She points out Amina to him, and the ensuing commotion awakens the sleepwalking bride-to-be. Her confusion at being awakened in a strange room is mistaken by Elvino for an admission of guilt and he rejects her. Except for Teresa, the others share his suspicions. Amina faints into Teresa's arms as Elvino turns his back on her.

Act III

Scene 1 –

The villagers are proceeding to the castle in an attempt to persuade Rodolfo to speak with Elvino. Elvino encounters Amina, and, enraged at what he perceives as her betrayal, he snatches his ring from her. She protests that she loves him and wouldn't be untrue to him (“Ah! perche non posso odiarti”).

Scene 2 –

Lisa has taken advantage of the situation to convince Elvino to marry her and preparations for the wedding are underway. Rodolfo attempts to dissuade Elvino by explaining Amina's somnambulism, but Elvino, who has never heard of such a condition, remains incredulous. Teresa learns of the upcoming wedding and produces Lisa's handkerchief, which she explains she found in Rodolfo's bedroom. Elvino explains that now she, too, has betrayed him. Rodolfo again attempts to convince Elvino that Amina never was untrue to him—she was merely sleepwalking. Elvino, skeptical, demands proof and as if on cue, Rodolfo points excitedly to the roof of the mill, where Amina has just emerged from a window. She is dressed in her nightgown and proceeds to walk across the roof of the mill, which provides a rather insecure footing. Still sleepwalking, she makes her way to where the villagers are gathered, where she kneels and prays for Elvino, speaking of the ring he'd taken away from her (“Ah, non credea mirarti”). Touched, Elvino kneels before her and slides his ring back on her finger. The cheers of the villagers awaken Amina, and she opens her eyes to see Elvino kneeling before her, begging forgiveness (“Ah! non giunge”). As the villagers rejoice, he leads her to the altar.

James Harp

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