Gioacchino Rossini

Die Italienerin in Algier

Premiering on May 22, 1813 at the Teatro San Benedetto in Venice, L'italiana in Algeri by Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868) was a success, with subsequent performances in Vicenza, Milan, and Naples. It was later performed at His Majesty's Theatre in London in 1819, and again in New York in 1832. Rossini's mixture of opera seria and opera buffa is notable — L'italiana in Algeri tells the tale of Isabella, an Italian girl who uses her wiles to trick unwitting Mustafà, the Bey of Algiers, into freeing her and her lover, Lindoro from his palace. The overture is widely performed today, and is especially known for its distinct opening, featuring an unexpected "burst" of sound from the full orchestra after a slow pizzicato opening in the basses. The opera itself fell somewhat out of favor in the 19th century but has been revived frequently since World War II with many successful productions. Instrumentation: 1.2.2.2: 2.2.0.0: Timp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).