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Royal Opera House, London Sat, 3rd April 2010 - Mon, 19th April 2010 From £27.00*It’s La dolce vita with a twist in this sparkling production of Rossini’s opera of comic confusion – Il turco in Italia. Naples in the 1960s is the setting for a riotous and stylish staging by the ever-popular directors Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier, returning for its first revival by The Royal Opera since its acclaimed premiere in 2005. When a handsome Turkish prince arrives in pursuit of one of his harem he can have no idea of the unintended consequences in store when he falls for the charms of a bored housewife — whose husband not surprisingly objects. Add a smooth lady’s man and a poet who sees everything as the subject for his new play, then just watch as the cast get hopelessly knotted in intrigues, plots and doppelgangers. Once again, the performers are stellar indeed — top Royal Opera favourites acclaimed in this difficult and delightful Italian repertory. Ildebrando d’Arcangelo as the prince and Aleksandra Kurzak as the errant wife lead a cast guaranteed to bring out the sparkle of one of Rossini’s most engaging scores. There are wonderful ensembles, a great quintet and witty duets that give every opportunity for brilliant singing. Under the baton of Maurizio Benini, with the precision of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and the versatility of the Royal Opera Chorus, this is a rare occasion to bring out the full thrill of Rossini in live performance.
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