Star sopranos Jessica Pratt and Greta Bradman join for Victorian Opera’s concert staging of Bellini’s bel canto masterpiece La Sonnambula at Hamer Hall – Arts Centre Melbourne for one thrilling performance on Friday 5 May 2017.
Following her performances in Victorian Opera’s Lucia di Lammermoor, La traviata and I Puritani, Jessica Pratt returns to the company to sing the title role of Amina, reuniting with Colombian tenor Carlos E. Bárcenas (Elvino) following their acclaimed performance in Victorian Opera’s production of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor.
National treasure Greta Bradman makes her Victorian Opera debut as the meddling inn-keeper Lisa. In his first Australian performance, grand Italian basso cantante Paolo Pecchioli joins the cast as the ‘other man’, Count Rodolfo. Acclaimed Australian mezzo-soprano Roxane Hislop appears as Amina’s mother Teresa.
In the opera, Amina sleepwalks into the bedroom of another man on the eve of her wedding. Upon discovering her supposed infidelity, her fiancé Elvino cancels their wedding before Amina’s innocence is revealed in a joyous celebration.
“I can’t wait to work with Jessica, and see her in action both in rehearsal as well as in the performance,” says Bradman. “She is such an extraordinary artist; I’ve a feeling there’ll be a fair few ‘pinching myself for being there’ sort of moments! I’m also hugely excited to be working with Victorian Opera and Richard Mills for the first time. It’s a dream come true to be honest.”
“I first heard La Sonnambula as a young girl, listening to a Joan Sutherland recording. I remember thinking that it was like magic – how can that sort of singing be possible!”
With Richard Mills conducting Orchestra Victoria, and following Victorian Opera’s sublime concert productions of Bellini’s Norma and I Puritani, audiences can now delight in the composer’s 1831 triumph La Sonnambula as the company reinforces its reputation for bel canto repertoire.
La Sonnambula
Hamer Hall – Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne
Performance: Friday 5 May 2017 – 7.30pm
Bookings: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au
For more information, visit: www.victorianopera.com.au for details.
Image: Jessica Pratt stars in Victorian Opera presentation of La Sonnambula (supplied)