Jessica Pratt and Greta Bradman Join Victorian Opera in BELLINI'S LA SONNAMBULA, May 5

Glittering star sopranos Jessica Pratt and Greta Bradman join for Victorian Opera's concert staging of Bellini's Bel Canto masterpiece La Sonnambula at Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall on 5 May 2017.

Following her thrilling performances in Victorian Opera's Lucia di Lammermoor, La traviata and I Puritani, Pratt returns to the company to sing the title role of Amina. She is reunited with Colombian tenor Carlos E. Bárcenas (Lucia di Lammermoor) as Elvino with Richard Mills conducting Orchestra Victoria in this one night only concert.

National Treasure Greta Bradman makes her Victorian Opera debut as the meddling inn-keeper Lisa. Bradman notes: "I can't wait to work with Jessica ?and see her in action both in rehearsal as well as in the performance. 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."

Reflecting on Bellini, Bradman added: "His music has a grace to it, yet with a level of emotional underpinning that just draws you in and doesn't let you go until the last note's finished. 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!"

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.

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.

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.

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Vincenzo Bellini's
LA SONNAMBULA

5 May 2017, 7:30pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall

Tickets from $72 | $35 for 30 & Under

Bookings: 1300 182 183 or online at victorianopera.com.au