- Actors: Doris Soffel, Robert Gambill, Günter von Kannen, Enric Serra, Nuccia Focile
- Directors: Claus Viller
- Writers: Angelo Anelli
- Format: Classical, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
- Language: Italian
- Subtitles: English, French, Japanese
- Region: All Regions
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 1
- MPAA Rating:
- Studio: Arthaus Musik
- Release Date: Feb 1 2001
- Run Time: 149 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B000056PPF
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#70,102 in DVD (See Top 100 in DVD)
- #25 in DVD > Musicals & Performing Arts > Opera > By Composer > Rossini, Gioacchino
- #25 in DVD > Musicals & Performing Arts > Classical > By Composer > Rossini, Gioacchino
- #83 in DVD > Musicals & Performing Arts > Classical > By Historical Period > Classical (c.1770-1830)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon.com
L'Italiana in Algeri (The Italian Girl in Algiers), Rossini's first real hit as a writer of comic opera, is one of those almost unsinkable works difficult to get entirely right. Michael Hampe's production for the 1987 Schwetzinger festival captures both its charm and its sense of menace--the court of the Bey is both a setting for farce and a place in which the Italian characters are at the mercy of a despot who will not necessarily find things funny. Gunther von Kannen's Mustafa is a convincing Bey of Algiers, while his adversary, the tough, witty proto-feminist Isabella, is given real presence in Doris Soffel's performance. The slightly effete tenor of Robert Gambill as her lover Lindoro makes him a perfect partner in intrigue for her. Conductor Ralf Weikert is particularly fine in the complicated finale of Act One with its imitations of bells and drums and its complicated vocal lines. --Roz Kaveney, Amazon.co.uk
From the Back Cover
L' Italiana in Algeri (The Italian girl in Algiers),a dramma giocoso in two acts by Gioacchino Rossini to a text by the librettist Angelo Anelli, received its first performance on May 22, 1813, at the Teatro San Benedetto in Venice. This recording is of a touring production given in the Rococo Theater, Schwetzingen by The Zurich Opera at the 1987 Schwetzingen Festival. The opera was produced by Michael Hampe; Mauro Pagnano was responsible for set design and costumes.
Soloists
Mustafa - Gunther von Kannen
Elvira - Nuccia Focile
Zulima - Susan McLean
Ali - Rudolf A. Hartmann
Lindoro - Robert Gambill
Isabella - Doris Soffel
Taddeo - Enric Serra
Bulgarian Male Chorus Sofia
Radio Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart
Conductor - Ralf Weikert
Stage Director - Michael Hampe
Set Design and Costumes - Mauro Pagano
Directed for television and video - Claus Viller
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Most helpful customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
SHUFFLING FEET,
By PAUL ROGERS (HARRISBURG, PA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Rossini;Gioacchino L Italiana (DVD)
I suppose what the other reader reviews have said is true, BUT:I was unimpressed by the small stage, scenery, and the acting. If you turn off the video to just hear the music, you will be treated to an inordinate amount of foot shuffling and strange bangings from the chorus. I've watched it three times and my opinion remains the same.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perhaps the best Rossini DVD available,
By David (North Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Rossini;Gioacchino L Italiana (DVD)
L'Italiana in Algeri is Rossini at his very best. First performed in Venice in 1813 when Rossini was but 21 years old, this most enchanting opera buffa soon took Europe by storm. Arthaus offers a production conducted by Ralf Weikert that captures magnificently the hilarity and madness of Rossini's first comic masterpiece. The singers and orchestra are magnificent, as are the costumes, sets and props--the live monkey adds a most comical touch! Watching the act 1 finale alone is worth the price of this DVD. Without doubt this would be a terrific first opera for the opera curioius, especially for anyone thinking that opera is always tragic and deadly serious. This production is a real treat, and only gets better with repeated viewings. A bubbling performance all around!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yet another pearl from Schwetzinger,
By
This review is from: Rossini;Gioacchino L Italiana (DVD)
The series of operas from the Schwetzinger Festival being released on the ARTHAUS label is proving to be a series of pearls, and this production is no exception. From the opening bars of the overture the RSO Stuttgart and the conductor Ralf Weikert play with such energy and warmth they sound as though they have all just returned from a holiday in southern Italy. The direction, as always with Michael Hampe, has the advantage of always keeping the action moving and has some truly inspired moments, especially the hilarious Finale of Act 1. Each of the singers has been chosen not only for their singing, but also for their acting, suitability for their role and their ability to be a member of a true ensemble. Doris Soffel truly shines as Isabella (this was 1987, pre Cecelia Bartoli), Robert Gambill is a Rossini tenor blessed with great beauty of tone and flexibility which is only slightly marred some pushing at the extreme top of his range, and Enric Serra is a baritone with the everything it takes to make Taddeo both humorous and yet strangely appealing. Gunther von Kannen is truly fabulous as Mustafa in terms of tone colour and his inspired, yet not over the top, comic acting, it is therefore a great shame that his voice is just not flexible enough to cope with the coloratura demands of the role. His uncredited side-kick is a hoot as well - but you'll have to buy this one to find out what I mean. Do yourself a favour! This DVD is a real winner that I dare you not to enjoy.
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