Opera Praktikos Premieres LA SONNAMBULA at National Sawdust, Fusing ASL and Bel Canto

Broadway + NYC

Broadway

Off-Broadway

Off-Off Broadway

Cabaret

Dance

Opera

Classical Music

West End / UK

International

Canada

Australia / New Zealand

Europe

Asia

Latin America

Africa / Middle East

Entertainment

Ctrl + K to open · Esc to close

The interabled opera integrates ASL and Deaf culture into Bellini's classic with creative contributions from Spicer Carr and Brandon Kazen-Maddox.

Most Popular

Get all the top news & discounts for Opera & beyond. No password required.

Opera Praktikos will present the world premiere of its latest project La Sonnambula (The Sleepwalker) as part of National Sawdust's 2026 makemake Festival. In a one-night only concert performance on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, this unique 90-minute work transforms Bellini-Romani's classic masterwork into an unparalleled integrated experience where Italian song and American Sign Language become one expressive whole. Featuring arrangement and orchestration by Spicer Carr, ASL translation & integration by Brandon Kazen-Maddox, Director of Artistic Sign Language by Patrice Creamer; Book, and English translation by Marianna Mott Newirth, this production integrates ASL and Deaf culture into the narrative of a classic opera setting the standard for what's possible when Disability-creativity is brought into the field.

Get all the top news & discounts for Opera & beyond.

“Working with an interabled team, we view Romani's story through a disability lens, building a deeply familiar yet entirely distinct work. Our abridgement asks universal questions of belonging, examining the complex relationships people with disabilities have with one another and with the community at large.” - GREG MOOMJY, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Opera Praktikos

In this 2026 retelling of an 1831 story, the historical misunderstandings of somnambulism serve a powerful metaphor for society's contemporary barriers to understanding disability. Featuring two very talented performers in the lead roles, Deaf actress Treshelle Edmond signs Lisa and Aja Nile-Brimm sings Amina with an extraordinary cast and orchestra behind them.

“The process of integrating ASL with opera requires a lot of advanced work and clear communication. Honoring Deaf culture and opera culture as distinct and complementary expressions of art takes time and understanding. As we learn best ways to collaborate, we discover something new in the classic works. We hope La Sonnambula becomes a model for other opera companies to produce interabled-works for future programming.” - MARIANNA MOTT NEWIRTH, Executive Producer and Co-Founder of Opera Praktikos

Video: PARSIFAL Cast and Creatives Discuss Royal Opera House Staging

Opera Saratoga General And Artistic Director Mary Birnbaum To Transition Into Advisory Role

OPERA DAY IN THE BAY to Present Free Concert with 13 Bay Area Companies

Houston Grand Opera Names Chairs for 2026-27 Signature Events

When are you seeing ?

Get an Alert Each Time Stephi Wild Writes

BroadwayWorld TV

Breaking Broadway news & show discounts. No password required.

POPULAR

Sign up for announcements and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows!

© 2026 — Copyright Wisdom Digital Media , all rights reserved. Privacy Policy

Episode

_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwopera/article/LA-SONNAMBULA-to-Premiere-at-National-Sawdust-20260915)._