(Photo: Amati Bacciardi) This summer’s Rossini Opera Festival’s imaginative and fast-moving production of the composer’s 1813 comic opera, “L’Italiana in Algeri,” hit the mark in so many ways: it was funny, colorful and energetic; the cast were fully engaged with their characters, which they hammed up brilliantly for laughs; the underlying dynamics of the narrative were expertly handled by the {…}
(Credit: rosellina garbo) The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma is set to present Rossini’s “L’Italiana in Algeri” from June 5 through 12, 2025. The opera will be presented at the Teatro Costanzi for the first time in 20 years in Emanuele Luzzati’s production. In a statement, director Maurizio Scaparro said, “It is evident that in an unlikely ‘Algeri,’ Rossini had fun {…}
(Photo: Armati Bacciardi) Over the next few months, OperaWire will be reviewing a number of productions at a variety of festivals across the globe. One name that keeps cropping up, at least in Europe, is that of Rosetta Cucchi. Blessed with a never-ending supply of energy and ideas, she always has one project on the go with others in the {…}
The Rossini Opera Festival has announced the opera for its 2025 season. The 46th edition of the event will take place from August 10 to 22, 2025, and will feature three operas, two new productions, and one revival. The festival will open on August 10, 2025 with a new production of “Zelmira,” conducted by Giacomo Sagripanti. The production will be {…}
“L’Italiana in Algeri” is quintessential Rossini, from its lighthearted tunes to the many twists of its delightfully ingenious plot. As a result, there is no shortage of exemplary recordings, with the 1978 DG release of Claudio Abbado standing out among the indispensable milestones in the piece’s discographic history. In 2024, it is the turn of Pan Classics to present their {…}
(Photo: Padraig Grant) The success of the Wexford Factory, the festival’s development program for young singers, was splendidly illustrated by its presentation of Rossini’s comic opera “L’Italiana in Algeri.” Without exception, the singers engaged enthusiastically with Conor Hanratty’s fast-moving and highly amusing staging that kept the audience entertained and laughing along. Although they possess various levels of experience, all produced {…}
Interest in Rossini is famously tied to Maria Callas and the renaissance, both technical and stylistic, of the Belcanto tradition which in the wake of the Divina has inspired as diverse a roster as Teresa Berganza, Marilyn Horne, and Montserrat Caballe to name but a few. Yet in addition to her live performances, her recorded legacy has marked our ear {…}
(Credit: Bregenz Festival official website) The Bregenz Festival has announced its 2022 slate, featuring four operas and international stars. Here is the full slate. Operas Rossini’s “L’Italiana in Algeri” stars Maria Barakova as Isabella, Alberto Comes as Mustafa, Sarah Yang as Elvira, and Spencer Britten as Lindoro. The cast also includes Florence Losseau, Hubert Kowalczyk, and Pierpaolo Martella. Jonathan Brandani {…}
The Bregenz Festival in Austria has canceled its production of Rossini’s “L’Italiana in Algeri.” The new production by Brigitte Fassbaender, was set to open on August 16 but was canceled after a member of the ensemble received a positive COVID test. The production was scheduled to be performed four times through August 21. According to early reports, the person who {…}
Tiroler Landestheater in Innsbruck, Austria has announced its 2021-22 season featuring theater, opera, symphony and dance. For the purposes of this article, we will only focus on vocal and operatic performances. The season with Péter Eötvös’s “Der goldene Drache” with Hansjörg Sofka conducting a production by Björn Reinke. Performance Dates: Oct. 16-Dec. 17, 2021 Piazzolla’s “Maria de Buenos Aires” will be directed {…}
The Teatro alla Scala has postponed its stream and performance of Rossini’s “L’Italiana in Algeri” due to COVID-19. The company announced that on May 23 an artist involved in the production tested positive for COVID-19. The performance, slated for May 25, was set to be streamed on the company’s YouTube page and performed for live audiences. As a result, ticket {…}