Vincenzo Bellini: La Sonnanbula (Dynamic DVD)

• La sonnambula (The Sleepwalker) is an opera semiseria in two acts, with music in the bel canto tradition by Vincenzo Bellini.

• This 2008 production was staged by Hugo de Ana at the Teatro Lirico di Cagliari. The references to 17th century Romantic painting and refined visual projections are a tribute to Luchino Visconti. Visconti produced the memorable performance of La Sonnambula at the Scala di Milano with the magnificent Maria Callas.

• Simone Alaimo is one of Italy’s best bass-baritones and Antonino Siragusa is a very experienced performer of Rossini and Bellini operas. The role of Amina is sung by the rising star of the International world, Eglise Gutierrez.

• Eglise Gutierrez made her debut at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 2009 as Linda di Chamounix and was praised by The Times for her “exceptional singing”. The Telegraph said she had “a curious voice…but with stratospheric notes that penetrate like rays of brilliant sun.”