Rossini's two-act comic opera to a libretto by Felice Romani (after
Caterino Mazzola ). First performed at La Scala, Milan, on 14 August 1814.
The poet Prosdocimo explains to the audience that he is looking for material for a comedy drawn from real life. In a gypsy camp near Naples, he encounters Zaida who, as a slave girl in a Turkish harem, once loved the prince Selim, but was forced to flee after rumours had been spread which had led Selim to sentence her to death. The ensuing action provides the poet with ample material ... An opera full of "double meanings, hypocrisy, smothered anger, forced smiles, and asides through clenched teeth".
Sung in Italian.
Chorus of the Theatre
Municipal, Lausanne Lausanne Chamber
Orchestra, conductor Maurizio Arena
Act
8.30 Opera News with James Naughtie. Producer David Gallagher
9.15 Act 2
(Suisse Romande Radio recording)