Il Turco in Italia – Rossini Opera
Rossini’s Italian Opera Buffo, The Turk in Italy
Il Turco in Italia (The Turk in Italy), an Italian comic opera, opera buffa, by Gioacchino Rossini: Il Turco in Italia plot summary, character list, and other opera info.
Gioacchino Rossini’s Italian Opera Il Turco in Italia (The Turk in Italy)
- Composed:1814
- First Performance:August 14, 1814, La Scala, Milan (Italy)
- Libretto:Felice Romani, based on the libretto for Joseph Seydelman’s opera of the same title by Caterino Mazzola
- Setting:Naples (Italy)
- Drama buffa per musica, Comic opera in 2 acts
The Main Characters in Il Turco in Italia (The Turk in Italy)
- Selim, A Turkish prince (bass)
- Fiorilli, wife of Geronio, a bit flighty (soprano)
- Geronio, husband of Fiorilla (bass)
- Narciso, Fiorilla’s past lover (tenor)
- Prosdocimo, a poet (bass)
- Zaida, a Gypsy, former lover of Selim (soprano)
Basic Plot Summary of Rossini’s opera Il Turco in Italia (The Turk in Italy))
Act I:
In a gypsy campy outside of Naples, Zaida (a Turk) is unhappily thinking of her fiancé, Selim, whom she has left behind and she may never see again. Prosdocimo, a poet, has come to town in search of inspiration for a new comedy that he is writing about Don Geronio and his flighty and flirtatious wife Fiorilla. Just then, Geronio enters town seeking a gypsy to tell him his fortune about his wife, and whether or not he can change her ways. The news from the gypsy is bad as the stars are not in his favor. At the docks, Selim has arrived. While getting off of his boat, he sees Fiorilla and the two begin to flirt. Narciso, Fiorilla's past (and current) lover is upset by the flirtation. Selim decides that he his going to take Fiorilla back to Turkey and gets ready to leave. As they are about to leave. Zaida turns up and recognizes Selim. The two are reunited. Geronio and Narciso then arrive and a lovers quarrel ensues. Prosdocimo continues to observe and gain material.
Act II:
Selim offers to purchase Fiorilla from her husband, Geronio, but he refuses. Fiorilla then asks Selim to choose between her and Zaida. Selim hesitates and Zaida angrily leaves. Fiorilla then threatens to leave herself and Selim chooses her. Selim decides that he is going to abduct Fiorilla (since Geronio won't sell her) at this evening's masked ball. Prosdocimo tips off Geronio of Selim's intentions. Zaida and Narciso arrive at the ball dressed identically to Fiorilla and Selim. Now everyone is confused because there are two Fiorillas and two Selims. The poet recommends to Geronio that the only way to win his wife's love again is to press for a divorce. Selim and Zaide leave for Italy together. Fiorella is upset by Selim's departure and her husband's wanting a divorce. She asks for forgiveness and Geronio grants it. Geronio and Fiorilla are reunited. Prosdocimo has the material he was seeking.
If you like Il turco in Italia, here are some other operas written by Rossini:
- Tancredi
- L’italiana in Algeri (The Italian Girl in Algiers)
- Il turco in Italia (The Turk in Italy)
- Il barbiere di siviglia (The Barber of Seville)
- La Cenerentola (Cinderella)
- Le Comte Ory (Count Ory)
- Guillaume Tell (William Tell)
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