L’Italiana in Algeri
Gioachino Rossini
This foray into the exotic East is an entertainment dished up with humour and virtuosity by the music of a young Rossini
Cast
Margarita Gritskova Isabella
Veronica Cangemi Elvira
Peter Kálmán Mustafà
Maxim Mironov Lindoro
Christian Senn Taddeo
Rosa Bove Zulma
Victor Sicard Haly
Jean-Christophe Spinosi direction
Ensemble Matheus
Choeur de chambre Mélisme(s) direction Gildas Pungier
Sung in Italian with French and English subtitles
In the late 17th century, theatre and music alike began to show a keen taste for the East and an imaginary vision of its exoticism. Molière’s Bourgeois Gentilhomme was promoted to the rank of “Grand Mamamouchi” and Mozart entered a seraglio worthy of The Arabian Nights. The young Rossini also depicted the allure of an imaginary East in his Italian Girl. This work is one of his most exquisite successes, and the dizzying virtuosity of his writing for voices and orchestra offers a heady mix for the senses. The energy of Jean-Christophe Spinosi, who has recently proved his mettle with his performances of several works by the Swan of Pesaro, should certainly do it justice.
Production Théâtre des Champs-Elysées
