‘L’Italiana in Algeri’ at Deutsche Oper Berlin 

After two directorial productions and 21 appearances as a singer, Rolando Villazón returns to the Deutsche Oper Berlin this March, directing Rossini’s raucous bel canto comedy, L’Italiana in Algeri. 

Villazón’s L’Italiana isn’t set in Algeria or even Itay. The comedy is reimagined as a Mexican professional wrestling spectacle, featuring the high-flying acrobatics and dramatic storytelling characterized by Lucha Libre. The story revolves around a universal conflict; a large studio is driving out the smaller ones, and a small studio is fighting for survival.

L’Italiana in Algeri features an outstanding cast, conducted by Alessandro De Marchi. Nadezhda Karyazina sings Isabella, with Jonah Hoskins as Lindoro, Tommaso Barea as Mustafà, Hye-Young Moon as Elvira, and Misha Kiria as Taddeo. 

L’Italiana in Algeri plays March 8 – April 2. 

Photo by © Eike Walkenhorst