L’italiana in Algeri – Rossini
Rossini’s Italian Comic Opera, The Italian Girl in Algiers
L'italiana in Algeri, an Italian comic opera by Gioacchino Rossini: L'italiana in Algeri plot summary, character list, and other Rossini opera information.
Gioacchino Rossini’s Italian Opera L’italiana in Algeri (The Italian Girl in Algiers)
Composed:1813
First Performance:May 22, 1813, Teatro San Benedetto, Venice (Italy)
Libretto:Angelo Anelli, originally set by Luigi Mosca
Setting:The Bey’s palace in Algiers, Algeria
Drama giocoso per musica, Comic opera in 2 acts
The Main Characters in L’italiana in Algeri (The Italian girl in Algiers)
- Mustafà, Turkish Bey in Algiers (bass)
- Elvira, his wife (soprano)
- Lindoro, The Bey’s Italian slave (tenor)
- Isabella, Lindoro’s lover (contralto)
- Taddeo, Isabella’s suitor, quite a bit older (bass)
Basic Plot Summary of Rossini’s opera L’italiana in Algeri
Act I:
Mustafà (the Turkish Bey of Algiers) is bored with his wife, Elvira. He decides to marry her off to Lindoro, his Italian slave. Lindoro is in love with Isabella. Mustafà convinces Lindoro that Elvira is better for him. Isabella, while looking for Lindoro, is captured and sent to Mustafà’s harem. Mustafà likes Isabella, but she manipulates him by playing with his ego. Isabella sees that Lindoro and Elvira are about to leave for Italy (being sent there by Mustafà) and tries to convince Mustafà to keep Elvira as his wife and make Lindoro her slave. Mustafà says no, but is overruled by Isabella.
Act II:
Lindoro tells Isabella the only reason he was leaving for Italy with Elvira was to have the opportunity to escape and be reunited with her. They agree to run off together. Mustafà has been eavesdropping. Isabella knows that Mustafà has been listening and talks loudly about how to please the man that she loves. Mustafà believes that Isabella has gotten herself all made up for him. Isabella invites Elvira to join them, irritating Mustafà. Lindoro tells Mustafà that Isabella wants to honor him by naming him a “Pappataci.” (A husband who gives complete freedom to his wife) Isabella makes Mustafà swear that he must remain “deaf and blind” during the ceremony. During the ceremony, she vows to free the Italian slaves, stirring their enthusiasm, while Lindoro gives the Bey drinks. The Italians leave as “part of the ceremony.” Mustafà realizes that the Italians are escaping and that he has been tricked, but everyone is too drunk to do anything about it. Mustafà understands that he has been defeated and turns to Elvira, begging for forgiveness.
If you like L’italiana in Algeri, 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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