The Italian Girl in Algiers
Buy Tickets May 2, 5, 8, 10, 2009
Behind the beaded curtain of this wacky harem is Rossini’s effervescent comedy, The Italian Girl in Algiers. Vivica Genaux (Cinderella 2002) ignites the stage in her signature role as feisty Isabella – reincarnated as an Amelia Earhart-style aviatrix of the 1930s. From the moment she crash-lands on the Algerian coast, we know she’ll outfox the gullible Mustafà – and rescue her beloved Lindoro. With tenor William Burden as Lindoro, Earle Patriarco (Sharpless in Madama Butterfly 2007) as the bumbling Taddeo, and – in his Pittsburgh debut – rising Italian bass Paolo Pecchioli as Mustafà. Three Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artists take crucial secondary roles: Deborah Selig (Elvira), Katherine Drago (Zulma), and Jonathan Beyer (Ali). Music Director Antony Walker presides in the pit, and Chris Alexander, acclaimed for his Pittsburgh stagings of Fidelio and Ariadne auf Naxos, directs.
All shows at the Benedum Center.
Sung in Italian with English translations projected above the stage.
Estimated performance time: 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one intermission.
This production generously sponsored by:
Reviews from recent Minnesota Opera performances of this production starring Vivica Genaux:
“The brash, self-assured heroine is one of Rossini’s greatest creations and Genaux’s performance is simply spellbinding.”
– Rochester Post-Bulletin
“…a superb, playful staging… David Woolard’s costumes amid Robert Innes Hopkins’ inventive oversized toy box of a set prove the ideal frosting for this tasty cake of a production.”
– Pioneer Press
Audio
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“Overture” Vienna Philharmonic / Abbado
The CastElvira: Deborah Selig |
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The ProductionConductor: Antony Walker |
Cast and opera are subject to change without notice.