LA SONNAMBULA

Vincenzo Bellini (1801 - 1835)

Opera in two acts in Italian
Libretto: Felice Romani
Premièr at Teatro Carcano, Milan – 6 March 1831

08 March 1959

Teatro San Carlo, Napoli

Conductor: Pasquale de Angelis
Chorus master: Michele Lauro
Stage director: Enrico Colosimo

Scene and costumes: L. Nedomansky

Count Rodolpho lord of the castle FERRUCIO MAZZOLI bass

Teresa proprietress of the mill n/a mezzo-soprano

Amina her foster-daugther LEYLA GENCER soprano [Role debut]

Lisa proprietress of the village inn n/a soprano

Elvino a young farmer AGOSTINO LAZZARI tenor

Alessio a villager n/a bass

Time: Early Nineteenth Century
Place: A Village in Switzerland

Photos © FOTO TRONCONE, Napoli

Note: Journalist Franca Cella mentioned that Gencer sung La Sonnambula at Teatro San Carlo di Napoli in 1958 and in 1959, but I couldn't reach any details of 1958 performances.  

(……………) Amina’s final aria from Bellini’s “La Sonnambula”, is next; Leyla Gencer had performed it only at the San Carlo in Naples in March 1958 and again the following season. That rare pearl is preserved in this unique recording. (………………………)

With fans after a performance....
From © Archivio Paola Tedesco

CONTRACT FOR THE PERFORMANCES

1959.02.25

MUSICAL AMERICA [VOL.79]                                             

1959 April

OPERA MAGAZINE                                                

1959 April

ATLANTIDA                                          

1959.07.18

INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE                                             

1975.01.28

MADAMA BUTTERFLY

Giacomo Puccini (1858 - 1924)

Opera in three acts in Italian

Libretto: Giacosa and Illica
Premièr at Teatro alla Scala, Milan – 17 February 1904

25 March 1962 (4 Performances)

Teatro San Carlo, Napoli

Conductor: Pasquale De Angelis

Chorus master: Michele Lauro

Stage director: Livio Luzzato

Scene and costumes: Cesare Maria Cristini

Cio-Cio-San, Madam Butterfly LEYLA GENCER soprano

Suzuki, her servant VERA MAGRINI mezzo-soprano 
Kate Pinkerton, Pinkerton’s American Wife n/a mezzo-soprano
B.F. Pinkerton, Lieutenant in US Navy GIUSEPPE GISMONDO tenor
Sharpless, US Consul at Nagasaki GUIDO MAZZINI baritone
Goro, a marriage broker n/a tenor
Prince Yamadori, a rich Japanese n/a baritone
The Bonze, Cio-Cio-San’s uncle n/a bass
The Imperial Commissioner n/a bass
The Official Registrar n/a baritone
 
Time: Early Twentieth Century
Place: Nagasaki

UNKNOWN NEWSPAPER                                              

1962 March / April

MADAMA BUTTERFLY

Giacomo Puccini (1858 - 1924)

Opera in three acts in Italian

Libretto: Giacosa and Illica
Premièr at Teatro alla Scala, Milan – 17 February 1904

26 April - 01 May 1956

Teatro San Carlo, Napoli

Conductor: Pasquale de Angelis

Chorus master: Michele Lauro

Stage director: Livio Luzatto

Scene and costumes: C.M. Cristini

Cio-Cio-San, Madam Butterfly LEYLA GENCER soprano

Suzuki, her servant ANGELA ROCCO mezzo-soprano 
Kate Pinkerton, Pinkerton’s American Wife n/a mezzo-soprano
B.F. Pinkerton, Lieutenant in US Navy DANIELE BARIONI tenor
Sharpless, US Consul at Nagasaki LINO PUGLISI baritone
Goro, a marriage broker n/a tenor
Prince Yamadori, a rich Japanese MARIO CIOFFI baritone
The Bonze, Cio-Cio-San’s uncle AMEDEO LIUORI bass
The Imperial Commissioner n/a bass
The Official Registrar n/a baritone

Time: Early Twentieth Century

Place: Nagasaki

CONTRACT FOR THE PERFORMANCES

1956.04.28