| The Italian Girl in Algiers Synopsis | |||||||||||||||||
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The scene changes to the seashore where a ship has been wrecked in a storm. Its passengers include Isabella (contralto), in search of Lindoro, and Taddeo (bass), her travelling companion and would-be lover. Isabella enters with a sorrowful cavatina 'Cruda sorte! Amor tiranno!', however she is not afraid and will master the situation. Haly and his men take them prisoner. She passes off Taddeo as her uncle. Haly is delighted to learn she is an Italian! Exactly what the Bey wanted! Left to consider their fate, Isabella is irritated by Taddeo's jealousy of Lindoro, but they resolve to join forces. Back in the palace, Lindoro and Elvira do not wish to marry, but Mustafŕ offers Lindoro passage on a ship returning to Italy - if he takes Elvira. Lindoro agrees, admitting a vague possibility of marrying her in Italy. Haly enters with news of the arrival of the Italian beauty. Mustafŕ is elated, 'Giŕ d'insolito ardore nel petto agitare'. Surrounded by eunuchs, Mustafŕ receives Isabella in a grand hall. He is enchanted. At that moment, Lindoro, Elvira and Zulma arrive to say goodbye to Mustafŕ. Lindoro and Isabella are astonished to come face to face. Recovering herself, Isabella asks about Elvira, learning she is Mustafŕ's ex-wife, to be remarried to Lindoro!
Isabella and Lindoro are alone. He explains that he had no intention of marrying Elvira. They agree to escape together and Lindoro sings of his happiness, 'Ah come il cor di giubilo'. Mustafŕ enters with a reluctant Taddeo, acclaimed by the Turks as 'Lord Kaimakan'. He dislikes interceding with Isabella for the Bey, but is frightened to refuse. In her apartment, Isabella is dressing in Turkish style. Zulma and Elvira deliver Mustafŕ's message: he is coming for coffee. Isabella orders three cups. Elvira should wait in a side room. As Mustafŕ approaches, Isabella sings a romantic cavatina, 'Per lui che adoro'. She will receive him. Mustafŕ tells Taddeo to leave when he sneezes. Isabella greets Mustafŕ warmly and he sneezes, but Taddeo ignores the signal. Isabella calls for coffee and then - to Mustafŕ's horror and amazement - invites Elvira to join them. Elsewhere in the palace, Haly sings in praise of the women of Italy, 'Le femmine d'Italia'. The Italians enter and Taddeo reveals to a surprised Lindoro that he is not her uncle but her lover, himself unaware of the other man's true identity. Lindoro tells Mustafŕ that Isabella will declare him her adored 'pappataci' [literally a 'silent eater': a man unable to resist the opposite sex]. This, as Lindoro explains, is an Italian custom and a great honour, as the 'pappataci' enjoy an idyllic life dedicated to eating, drinking and sleeping. Zulma and Haly speculate about Isabella's real intentions and the quantity of alcohol ordered for the ceremony. In her apartment, Isabella addresses the Italian slaves who will be 'pappataci' in the ceremony. She will lead them to freedom, 'Pensa all patria'. The ceremony begins, Mustafŕ is delighted with his new honour and changes into appropriate costume. Isabella explains his obligations. He must swear an oath of eating, drinking, and keeping silent, repeating the words after Taddeo. Following that his oath is tested, under provocation by Isabella and Lindoro. A European ship lies alongside the palace: time to escape! Taddeo finally realizes who Lindoro is, but decides to go along with them anyway. Elvira, Zulma and Haly find the Bey still acting as a mad 'pappataci'. Suddenly recovering his sanity, Mustafŕ calls his troops but they are all drunk. The Italians bid farewell and Mustafŕ begs Elvira's forgiveness. No more Italian girls for him! -Synopsis from Wikipedia.com | |||||||||||||||||
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