L'italiana in Algeri - Schedule, Program & Tickets

In Italian with German and English surtitles

Dramma giocoso per musica in two acts - libretto by Angelo Anelli

Clear the ring for a circus of male vanity and female ingenuity: women are only born to serve their masters, the chorus claims after the overture - and then everything turns out quite differently. Mustafà is tired of his wife Elvira and wants to marry her off to Lindoro. Then the Italian Isabella appears on the scene, turns Mustafà's head and takes command unnoticed.

Rossini's musical finesse in this tongue-in-cheek comedy about the magic of seduction made him the undisputed king of opera buffa and bel canto - an "organized and perfect madness" (Stendhal). "I thought the Venetians would think I was crazy after hearing my opera; now it turns out: they are even crazier than I am!" the composer marveled after the premiere at the Teatro San Benedetto, where the audience enthusiastically celebrated his foolhardy love burlesque.

Alexandra Liedtke, director and artistic director of the opera, locates the exuberant story in the world of the circus.

Subject to change without notice.