“The Italian Lady in Algeres” is a comedic opera composed by Gioachino Rossini.
The opera begins with the wealthy and powerful Mustafa, who has grown bored with his harem and seeks a new, exotic wife. He sets his sights on Isabella, an Italian woman who is shipwrecked off the coast of Algiers. Isabella, however, is not interested in being Mustafa’s bride and instead hatches a plan to escape. She enlists the help of Taddeo, a hapless Italian who has also been captured by Mustafa. Together, Isabella and Taddeo trick Mustafa into thinking that Taddeo is her jealous fiancé. Mustafa falls for the ruse and allows Isabella and Taddeo to leave his palace. In the meantime, Mustafa’s wife Elvira arrives and is shocked to find her husband attempting to take a new bride. With the help of Isabella and Taddeo, Elvira devises a plan to get revenge on Mustafa. The plan involves disguising Isabella as Mustafa’s own wife and then humiliating him in front of his entire court. In the end, Mustafa realizes the error of his ways and promises to be a better husband to Elvira.
The opera is filled with comedic misunderstandings, clever schemes, and lighthearted music that showcase Rossini’s signature style.
- Music Gioachino Rossini
- Libretto Angelo Anelli
- Conductor Marco Guidarini
- Director Emanuele Gamba
- Choreographer Lukas Zuschlag
- Set Designer Massimo Checchetto
- Costume Designer Carlos Tieppo
- Lighting Designer Milčo Aleksandrov
- Dramaturge Tatjana Ažman
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