New production

L’Italiana in Algeri is considered as Rossini’s first true opera buffa. Composed in Venice, L’Italiana has quickly become so successful that music boxes playing the cavatina “Languir per una bella” have been produced. The libretto taken from the legend about Roxane and Soliman is eminently modern and gives women victory over men’s stupidity and pride. Three suitors are charmed by the beautiful Italian Isabella: bass voice Mustafa, the bey of Algiers, baritone voice Taddeo, the uncle, and young tenor Lindoro, in love with Isabella. The music is captivating, especially the overture and its beginning pianissimo, its sforzati, its crescendi and its irresistible accelerandi or the famous aria of Isabelle “Cruda sorte !” in Act 1. We have brought back in this Italiana the irresistible interpreters that are Philippe Talbot, Luigi De donato, Riccardo Novaro and we welcome three formidable young talents: the Russian mezzo- soprano Svetlina Stoyanova in the title role, the Cypriot soprano Theodora Raftis and the Bolivian bass José Coca Loza, all winners of major international competitions.