Gaetano Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment opens tonight at the Israeli Opera, and will be performed through February 19, 2011, conducted by Alberto Zedda.
This production of La Fille du Régiment is directed by Emilio Sagi, who also directed Bizet’s Carmen at the Israeli Opera. Telling the tale of the foundling Marie raised by a regiment of doting fathers, the international cast includes Iride Martinez from Costa Rica as a spunky Marie full of energy and sparkle, American tenor Robert McPherson woos the audience with song as her devoted lover Tonio, and Italian mezzo soprano Monica Minarelli is the aristocratically amusing Marquise de Berkenfeld.
Donizetti (1797 – 1848) was one of the leading composers of bel canto opera, and world renowned Italian conductor and musicologist Zedda is a specialist in 19th century Italian repertoire. Zedda returns to the Israeli stage after an absence of over ten years. Artistic director of the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, Italy, Zedda has been responsible for the publication of new editions of works by Vivaldi, Handel, Donizetti, Bellini, Verdi and Rossini, including a complete critical edition of Rossini operas with Philip Gossett.
Performances will take place from February 8 – 19, 2011 at the Israeli Opera, 19 Shaul Hamelech Street, Tel Aviv. Tickets range from 175 – 428 NIS and may be ordered online or call: 03-692-7777.
