Gioachino Rossini’s hilarious comic opera L'italiana in Algeri returns to the stage of the Hungarian State Opera between 23 and 31 May 2026 after a hiatus of three years. Máté Szabó’s 2017 production revives Isabella’s story with new cast members and popular returning performers. Although abducted, Isabella is far from needing rescue. Instead, she is the one who sets the men straight.
Gioachino Rossini composed the work, inspired by real events, at the age of just twenty-one, and following its Venetian premiere, L'italiana in Algeri almost immediately conquered the opera stages of Europe. Alongside Lacenerentola and Il baribiere di Siviglia, it remains one of the composer’s most frequently performed comic operas. From its fast-paced ensembles and patter arias to its brilliant musical jokes and grand finales, the work displays every hallmark of the genre with dazzling flair. The story offers a witty twist on the tradition of the “rescue opera”. Here, it is not the male hero who saves the damsel in distress; instead, the captive Isabella uses her intelligence and charm to rescue her beloved Lindoro, while humiliating Mustafà, the Bey of Algiers, who is in search of a new wife, and restoring order within the palace.
In Máté Szabó’s witty production, evoking the modern day, several of the principal artists from the 2017 premiere return, including Viktória Mester (Isabella), Vassilis Kavayas (Lindoro), András Palerdi (Mustafà), and Zita Szemere (Elvira, Mustafà’s wife). Also returning in the double cast are Gabriella Balga (Isabella), Spencer Britten (Lindoro), Csaba Sándor (Taddeo, Isabella’s companion), and Melina Heiter (Zulma, Elvira’s confidante). The May series also marks several debuts: András Kiss appears for the first time as Mustafà; Opera Studio members Gabriella Rea Fenyvesi and Vivienne Ortan make their debuts as Elvira and Zulma respectively; while Lőrinc Kósa debuts as Ali, the pirate captain. The Hungarian State Opera Orchestra and Chorus are conducted by principal guest conductor Péter Halász, who made his conducting debut at the OPERA a decade and a half ago with Rossini’s popular comic opera Il barbiere di Siviglia.
L’italiana in Algeri is performed five times this season at the Opera House: 23, 24, 27, 30, and 31 May 2026.
Photo by Valter Berecz
