‘Il Sonnambulo' by Michele Carafa: A Forgotten Romantic Opera with Sleepwalking

Abstract

Romantic operas provide a useful tool for historians to understand the perception of some medical disorders that existed during the nineteenth century. Somnambulism was still a mysterious condition during this time, since its pathogenesis was unknown. Hence, it comes as no surprise that somnambulism features in a number of operas, the best known of which are Verdi's ‘Macbeth' and Bellini's ‘La Sonnambula', both the subject of recent scholarship. Here we examine a more obscure opera in which sleepwalking is depicted. Dating from 1824, ‘Il Sonnambulo' by the Italian composer Michele Carafa is based on a libretto by Felice Romani. Although it shares some features with the Verdi and Bellini operas, it also presents original elements. Our analysis of this forgotten opera supports the contention that studying operas can shed light on medical theories and practices, and on how ideas about mind and body disorders were transmitted to the laity in times past.

“Nabucco” by Giuseppe Verdi: A Case of <b><i>Delirium</i></b> in an Italian Romantic Opera

“…For this reason, these works can be considered to be a link between the popular and the intellectual world, including scientists and physicians. "Nabucco" by Giuseppe Verdi confirms again that Romantic operas can still serve as " valuable resources for understanding mental (and physical) disorders during times past, especially as conveyed from and to non-physicians [3] . "…”

“…"Nabucco" provides a clear example of how operas could be used as a valuable tool to investigate the state of knowledge of neuropsychiatric disease in the Romantic era [1][2][3]20] . Opera was at the height of popularity during this time, with an audience mostly composed of the upper-class and the well-educated, who considered it to be unworthy of attendance if it were not grandiose and spectacular [2] .…”

“The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari”: The Scientific Debate on Hypnosis and Its Legal Implications between the 19th and the 20th Century

“…Cesare, the subject controlled by Dr. Caligari, is a somnambulist. In that period, magnetic cabinets were opened in all main cities of Europe: supposed somnambulists and their magnetizers maintained that they could foretell the future and gave consultations on diseases [18][19][20]. These cabinets were typical of Southern Europe and, particularly, of Italy [21], so it comes as no surprise that Caligari and Cesare bear Italian names.…”