Opera UCT is set to present the world premiere staging of Gaetano Donizetti’s “lost” opera, “Dalinda” at the Baxter Theatre, Cape Town.

The performances are set to take place between Sept. 4 and 8, 2024, and will be the first time in history that this opera will be performed in full.

“Dalinda” was rediscovered in 2019 and meticulously reconstructed. It was then performed in May 2023 in Berlin with Lidia Fridman starring in the title role.

At first, thought to be yet another version of Donizetti’s “Lucrezia Borgia,” after examination, the score showed that “Dalinda” is an opera in its own right.

This time the opera will be led by Jeremy Silver, who is globally recognized for conducting lesser-known Donizetti masterpieces.

In a statement, he said, “We are incredibly excited and deeply grateful to have been selected to present the first full staging of Donizetti’s ‘Dalinda.’ This performance is not only an honor for us as an opera company but for the country too, and something we are hoping to share with opera lovers and newcomers alike who will appreciate the story, as much as the historic event.”

The production will star Molly Dzangare, Luvo Maranti, and Violina Anguelov. The production will be led by Italian director, William Costabile Cisco, together with Bulgarian costume designer, Leticia Parvoleta Ivanova, and Cape Town’s veteran set designer, Michael Mitchell.