18-30 May 2004. Conducted by Bruno Campanella, directed by Pierluigi Pizzi, with Luigi Petroni, Giovanni Furlanetto, Alfonso Antoniozzi, Elisabeth Norberg-Schultz.

Nino Rotas Il cappello di paglia di Firenze goes on stage at the Teatro Regio in Turin, 18-30 May. Rota is best-known for his soundtracks; his circus-like music for Fellinis films are unforgettable, and the theme tune in Viscontis Il Gattopardo is deeply moving. But Rotas work is not limited to films; they also include instrumental and chamber music, and operas. Il cappello di paglia di Firenze is probably his most famous opera; it was written in 1955 for the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, where it enjoyed overwhelming success, and went on to tour the most important theatres in Italy. The story simple, but very entertaining is about a couple of newly-weds who spend a crazy day desperately looking for a straw hat. The performance in Turin dates back to 1987, when it did very well at the Teatro Valli in Reggio Emila, and will be directed by Pierluigi Pizzi. Paolo di Nicola