Composer Gioachino Rossini
Libretto by Angelo Anelli Musical Director and
Conductor Felix Korobov Stage Director Evgeny
Pisarev Set Design Zinovy Margolin Costume
Design Viktoria Sevryukova Conductor Vyacheslav
Volich Principal Chorus Master Stanislav Lykov
Choreography Albert Albert Lighting
Damir Ismagilov
Synopsis
Act 1
In the palace of theBeyofAlgiers. Elvira (soprano), accompanied
by her slave Zulma (mezzo), regrets the loss of the love of her husband, the
Turkish Bey Mustafа (bass). Left alone with Haly (bass), Captain of theCorsairs, Mustafа reveals his plan to
marry Elvira off to Lindoro, hisItalianslave. The Bey is bored with his
submissiveharem, desiring a new
challenge to his virility: he wants an Italian girl! Haly must find one! Lindoro
(tenor) enters alone and sings about Isabella, his true love, 'Languir per una
bella'. Mustafа comes in to explain about Lindoro's impending marriage. The
enthusiastic Bey describes the attractions of the match, while Lindoro struggles
to refuse.
The
scene changes to the seashore where a ship has been wrecked in a storm. Its
passengers include Isabella (contralto), in search of Lindoro, and Taddeo
(bass), her travelling companion and would-be lover. Isabella enters with a
sorrowfulcavatina'Cruda sorte! Amor tiranno!', however
she is not afraid and will master the situation. Haly and his men take them
prisoner. She passes off Taddeo as her uncle. Haly is delighted to learn she is
an Italian! Exactly what the Bey wanted! Left to consider their fate, Isabella
is irritated by Taddeo's jealousy of Lindoro, but they resolve to join
forces.
Back
in the palace, Lindoro and Elvira do not wish to marry, but Mustafа offers
Lindoro passage on a ship returning to Italy - if he takes Elvira. Lindoro
agrees, admitting a vague possibility of marrying her in Italy. Haly enters with
news of the arrival of the Italian beauty. Mustafа is elated, 'Giа d'insolito
ardore nel petto agitare'.
Surrounded
by eunuchs, Mustafа receives Isabella in a grand hall. He is enchanted. At that
moment, Lindoro, Elvira and Zulma arrive to say goodbye to Mustafа. Lindoro and
Isabella are astonished to come face to face. Recovering herself, Isabella asks
about Elvira, learning she is Mustafа's ex-wife, to be remarried to Lindoro!
Act 2
In the palace. Elvira and Zulma (who have remained in
Algiers after all) note Isabella's skill with men. Mustafа reveals his strategy.
Lindoro is now installed as Isabella's servant and his informer, Taddeo will
also be induced to help. Elvira and Zulma must tell Isabella he is coming to
takecoffeewith her!
Isabella
and Lindoro are alone. He explains that he had no intention of marrying Elvira.
They agree to escape together and Lindoro sings of his happiness, 'Ah come il
cor di giubilo'. Mustafа enters with a reluctant Taddeo, acclaimed by the Turks
as 'Lord Kaimakan'. He dislikes interceding with Isabella for the Bey, but is
frightened to refuse.
In her apartment, Isabella is dressing inTurkishstyle. Zulma and Elvira deliver
Mustafа's message: he is coming for coffee. Isabella orders three cups. Elvira
should wait in a side room. As Mustafа approaches, Isabella sings a romantic
cavatina, 'Per lui che adoro'. She will receive him. Mustafа tells Taddeo to
leave when he sneezes. Isabella greets Mustafа warmly and he sneezes, but Taddeo
ignores the signal. Isabella calls for coffee and then - to Mustafа's horror and
amazement - invites Elvira to join them.
Elsewhere
in the palace, Haly sings in praise of the women of Italy, 'Le femmine
d'Italia'. The Italians enter and Taddeo reveals to a surprised Lindoro that he
is not her uncle but her lover, himself unaware of the other man's true
identity. Lindoro tells Mustafа that Isabella will declare him her adored
'pappataci' [literally a 'silent eater': a man unable to resist the opposite
sex]. This, as Lindoro explains, is an Italian custom and a great honour, as the
'pappataci' enjoy an idyllic life dedicated to eating, drinking and sleeping.
Zulma and Haly speculate about Isabella's real intentions and the quantity of
alcohol ordered for the ceremony.
In
her apartment, Isabella addresses the Italian slaves who will be 'pappataci' in
the ceremony. She will lead them to freedom, 'Pensa alla patria'. The ceremony
begins, Mustafа is delighted with his new honour and changes into appropriate
costume. Isabella explains his obligations. He must swear an oath of eating,
drinking, and keeping silent, repeating the words after Taddeo. Following that
his oath is tested, under provocation by Isabella and Lindoro.
A
European ship lies alongside the palace: time to escape! Taddeo finally realizes
who Lindoro is, but decides to go along with them anyway. Elvira, Zulma and Haly
find the Bey still acting as a mad 'pappataci'. Suddenly recovering his sanity,
Mustafа calls his troops but they are all drunk. The Italians bid farewell and
Mustafа begs Elvira's forgiveness. No more Italian girls for
him!