28 Jan-6 Feb 2005. Conducted by Claudio Scimone, directed by Pier Luigi Pizzi, with Lorenzo Regazzo, Federico Lepre, Maxim Mironov and Anna Rita Gemmabella.

Maometto II by Gioachino Rossini goes on stage at La Fenice in Venice from 28 Jan- 6 Feb. The opera was first performed in Naples in 1820 and was innovative for its time because it broke the rigid sub-divisions in arias and duets. It has the structure of a single narrative with a continuous melodic wave that links the whole work.

Despite being prepared and open to novelty, the Neapolitan public did not appreciate Maometto II and as a result, Rossini made some changes. When in 1822 the opera arrived in Venice, it was further modified with the creation of an improbable yet happy finale. It is this version that will be performed, conducted by Claudio Sciamone (who is also responsible for the crucial revision of the musical score) and directed by Pier Luigi Pizzi. The cast is made up of young up-and-coming singers: Carmen Giannattasio, Anna Rita Gemmabella, Lorenzo Regazzo and Maxim Mironov. For more information tel. 0412424. Paolo di Nicola