The curtain opens on a darkly mysterious masked ball. The Baron and his guests delight in the presence of his mistress, the Coquette. The dancing pauses with the arrival of the Poet, whom the Baron introduces to the Coquette before the festivities resume.
The guests are treated to a lively series of divertissements (short, entertaining dances) before gradually unmasking and pairing off, leaving the Coquette and the Poet alone. The two share a dance with an almost tango-like quality, before the guests return to engage the Poet in a blindfolded game. When the game ends, the guests leave him behind to attend dinner.
Alone in the courtyard, the Poet notices a flickering candlelight descending the spiral staircase of the Baron’s tower. A beautiful Sleepwalker appears: the Baron’s wife, who wanders the premises at night. The Poet is immediately entranced. He tries repeatedly to awaken her, but she eludes him. With each attempt, he falls further in love. Delighted by their playful encounter, he guides her around the stage as she twirls wistfully, unaware that the jealous Coquette watches from the shadows.
The Poet and the Sleepwalker disappear into the tower just before the guests return from dinner. The dancing resumes, but the Coquette wastes no time informing the Baron of the Poet’s advances. Enraged, the Baron draws his knife and heads toward the tower.
Moments later, the Poet staggers out, clutching his freshly wounded side, and collapses before the horrified guests. They lift his lifeless body and place it in the Sleepwalker’s arms. Carrying the Poet with her, she ascends the staircase and disappears into the tower.
La Sonnambula makes its return to PNB’s stage after nearly 20 years in GHOST STORIES, running November 6-15, 2026 at McCaw Hall.
