The Italian Girl in Algiers 2002
Beguiling melodies, propulsive ensembles and madcap stories…
…reach a climax as a signorina and a dictator duke it out in Rossini’s knockout comedy.
Synopsis
Act I
Elvira complains to Zulma that her husband, Mustafa, is no longer in love with her. Mustafa rejects Elvira’s attempts to rekindle his ardor. He orders Ali, his henchman, to have Elvira married off to Lindoro, a recently captured slave, and to find a lusty young Italian woman to be his new wife.
Lindoro pines for Isabella, whom he has not seen for many months. Mustafa offers him a wife who combines beauty, wealth and kindness, but will not divulge her name.
Searching for Lindoro, Isabella and her traveling companion Taddeo are forced by a storm to seek refuge in Algiers. They are captured by Mustafa’s men. Ali discovers that Isabella is a genuine Italian woman and predicts that she will become the new star of the harem, much to Taddeo’s jealousy.
Lindoro agrees to marry Elvira, in exchange for his freedom and passage to Italy, just as Ali announces the arrival of the Italian girl and her “uncle” Taddeo. Mustafa falls immediately in love with Isabella and orders that the inconvenient uncle be impaled on the stake forthwith. Persuaded by Isabella’s charms, Mustafa agrees to make Lindoro her personal slave and to commute Taddeo’s execution.
Artists
Stephanie Blythe
Mezzo-soprano
Isabella
Madeline Bender
Soprano
Elvira
William Burden
Tenor
Lindoro
Mark S. Doss
Bass-baritone
Mustafà
Timothy Nolen
Baritone
Taddeo
Christopher Feigum
Bass-baritone
Ali
Piper Pack
Mezzo-soprano
Zulma
Yves Abel
Conductor
Edward Hastings
Director
Robert Innes Hopkins
Scenic Designer
David C. Woolard
Costume Designer
Duane Schuler
Lighting Designer
Robert Wood
Chorus Master