A Student Guide to
L’Italiana in Algeri By Gioachino Rossini
THE STORY Act I: In the city of Algiers at the royal palace, Elvira sits, woefully looking out over the Mediterranean Sea while complaining to her servant, Zulma, that her husband, Mustafà, no longer loves her. Zulma and the other servants are sympathetic, but offer no solution. Mustafà, the Bey of Algiers, enters regally, exclaiming his lack of patience with his wife. Bored with his submissive harem, Mustafà wishes for a new exotic woman. Each continues to complain until Mustafà tires and sends Elvira away. Mustafà plans to be rid of his wife by giving her to one of his favorite slaves, the young Italian Lindoro. Lindoro, who has often spoken of his longlost fiancée, Isabella, inadvertently convinces Mustafà that he must find an Italian girl for himself. Mustafà thus orders Haly, captain of the corsairs, to capture an Italian girl for him. Finding Lindoro alone, singing of Isabella, Mustafà interrupts to present his gift of Elvira. Lindoro attempts to politely refuse, while Mustafà insists, describing her every virtue.
At the palace, Zulma breaks the news to Elvira that Mustafà has ordered her to marry Lindoro. To make the offer more enticing, he will pay Lindoro for the return trip to Italy if he will take Elvira. Lindoro accepts, on the condition he will not marry Elvira until after they reach Italy. Just as Elvira begins to protest, Haly enters with the news that he has found an Italian woman for Mustafà.
In the main reception hall, Mustafà welcomes this beautiful Italian woman, Isabella. Isabella finds Mustafà ridiculous and is confident she can deal with him, while Mustafà finds Isabella enchanting. She begins to flirt with Mustafà, while Taddeo’s growing jealousy causes a scene, only to be saved when Isabella introduces him as her uncle. Lindoro, Elvira, and Zulma enter to say goodbye when Isabella and Lindoro meet face to face. Stunned at the sight of each other, they quickly realize that if they are going to be reunited, they must remain discreet. Isabella cleverly insists Mustafà cannot banish his wife and Lindoro At sea, Haly and his crew come must stay to be her personal CHARACTERS upon an Italian ship wrecked in servant. Confused emotions of a storm the night before. They love, lust, and jealousy reach a Mustafà (bass) Known as a basso buffo, capture the survivors. Isabella, climax with everyone’s head Mustafà’s character is easily fooled, although he believes he is in control as the Bey of Algiers. now captive, laments her reeling as Act I comes to a cruel misfortune in her quest close. Elvira (soprano) Sweet and demure, Elvira is Mustafà’s to find her fiancé, Lindoro. wife. Act II: Elvira and Zulma Isabella is accompanied by admire how Isabella has Zulma (mezzo-soprano) Zulma is Elvira’s servant and Taddeo, her middle-aged confidante. “a way with men” and can traveling companion who fool them easily. Mustafà Lindoro (tenor) A young Italian lover, Lindoro has is also in love with her. The interrupts and orders Lindoro been captured, enslaved and is the favorite of corsairs threaten to sell Taddeo and Taddeo to be Isabella’s Mustafà. into slavery, but he convinces personal attendants and to them he is Isabella’s uncle and Haly (bass) Captain of the Algerian corsairs, report of any plots against him. Haly, in true pirate form, does not side with must remain to protect her. Haly Mustafà then orders Elvira and anyone. realizes Isabella is the perfect Zulma to inform Isabella he Italian woman for Mustafà and Isabella (contralto) Searching for her longwill be taking his coffee in her takes them to the palace. Isabella lost fiancé Lindoro, Italian Isabella is confident quarters. and clever. and Taddeo quarrel, but resolve to join forces in order to make Taddeo (bass) Also a basso buffo and a little an escape. dense, Taddeo thinks he is Isabella’s lover, but is actually just her traveling companion.
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