Search - Vincenzo Bellini, Mariela Devia, Luca Canonici :: Bellini: La Sonnambula

The Sonnambula of our time

J. Luis Juarez Echenique | Mexico City | 12/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mariella Devia is one of the greatest sopranos of our time, and it is a major scandal that she has been virtually ignored by the Big Record Companies who seemed more interested in such amazing talent as Charlotte Church and Andrea Bocelli (may they hear their recordings in Hell for eternity).
If you have not heard Devia before this sensational live Sonnambula is a good starting point. You will hear a distinctive and individual voice, rather than just a pretty one, but the same could be said of Callas and Scotto, 2 great sopranos who just like Devia did a lot more than just produce the notes.
Her exemplary musicianship and diction are rare these days, she is so much more interesting than a Sumi Jo or other impersonal coloraturas that you almost believe that great singing is still alive and well.
Thankfully, her Elvino is also excellent: Luca Canonici, a most stylish tenor with a very attractive voice.
Please don't miss this important document, in an era of vulgar pop it's refreshing to hear trully aristocratic singing."

Natural characterisation and vocal perfection!

Armindo | Greece | 10/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What makes this Sonnambula special is how naturally Devia's vocal colour suits Amina. She needn't change her voice, it just sounds ideal. Exactly how I'd expect a sleepwalking village girl to sound. No, it's not huge or stunningly beautiful instrument, it's down to earth yet used in a supernatural way. This Amina is the girl next door who has a fantastic balsamic vinegar voice.



Similarly Canonici sounds like a simple chap who sings absolutely charmingly. No fireworks, just straightforward lyric sound and it's totally captivating in an almost unexplainable way. He's definitely this Amina's boy! These two are supported by a decent cast who sing well but never stealing the spotlight from Amina and Elvino.



Devia will actually make her Amina even more exciting a few years after this Como evening. In 1992 she decided to complete the performance in Palermo with a perfectly sustained and focused penultimate top F, which has never been done before or since! Unfortunately this isn't commercially available which makes the Como performance the essential Sonnambula.

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