Staging the classics can always present a risk, particularly in an era of evolved political sensibilities. However, director Barbara Lluch manages a balance between authenticity and modernity with her take on Vincenzo Bellini¡¯s ¡°La Sonnambula.¡±
The original, which premiered in Milan in 1831, is known for intricate melodic leaps and stunning arias, a masterpiece in the ¡°bel canto¡± (beautiful singing) tradition. Its plot is set in a fickle patriarchal society where women are judged based on superficial appearances ¡ª the source of some criticism but, unfortunately, not something that is entirely foreign to our lives today.
¡°It's a matter of changing intention,¡± Lluch says regarding some of the problematic aspects of the original storyline ahead of her version¡¯s Tokyo premiere. ¡°Everything is already there in the libretto; opera is alive, but you must respect the tradition and perform exactly as written. Yet, perspective and intention are important. ... It¡¯s the first thing you learn in dramatic arts.¡±
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