La Sonnambula Melodramma di Felice Romani posta in Musica e Dedicato al Sigr. Mo. F. Pollini ... Rid. con accomp. di Pianoforte ... 30._. [Piano-vocal score]

Milano: F. Lucca [PNs 11983-11999], 1859. Oblong folio. Full burgundy cloth with decorative blindstamping and floral gilt device to upper, titling gilt to spine. 1f. (recto title in decorative borders by Sperati, verso blank), 1f. (recto named cast list, verso table of contents), 5-211 pp. Each number with separate caption title, some with separate pagination. Engraved.

Named cast list from the premiere includes Giuditta Pasta, Giovanni Battista Rubini, Luciano Mariani, and Elisa Taccani.

From the collection of Italian conductor, vocal coach, and close associate of Puccini and Mascagni, Luigi Ricci (1893-1981).

Binding somewhat worn, rubbed and bumped; spine faded. Scattered light foxing throughout, primarily to margins; moderate foxing to title and a few interior leaves. A later edition. Not in Lippmann.

La Sonnambula was composed to a libretto by Felice Romani after Eugène Scribe and J.-P. Aumer's ballet-pantomime La somnambule. It premiered in Milan at the Teatro Carcano on March 6, 1831.

"In La sonnambula Bellini's mature style appears finally crystallized, a synthesis of heartfelt melody, expressive declamation and coloratura from which all Rossinian hedonism has been banished." Budden, Forbes, and Maguire in Grove Music Online.

Ricci was an important figure in the transmission of 19th century traditions passed on to him by noted baritone Antonio Cotogni (1831-1918), whom he accompanied from the age of 12. He was active as a vocal coach at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, where he taught (amongst many others) Sesto Bruscantini, Anna Moffo, Rosalind Elias, Ezio Flagello, Peter Lindroos, and Martti Wallén.