Turken i Italien. Efter fiaskot med Aureliano in Palmira ville La Scala istället ha ett verk i Rossinis berömda buffastil. Librettot skrevs av Felice Romani och var en bearbetning av en liknande förlaga av Caterino Mazzola, som 1788 blev tonsatt av Franz Seydelmann för operan i Dresden. Med omvända förtecken hade handlingen en viss likhet med Rossinis Italienskan i Alger, fastän i Seydelmanns opera handlade det inte om någon italienska förflyttad till Algeriet utan om en turk i Italien. Operan hade premiär 14 augusti 1814 på La Scala i Milano. Många i publiken trodde att operan blott och bart var en omändring av Italienskan i Alger och lämnade salongen redan efter första akten.
Turken i Italien synopsis 1814
Akt I
Författaren Prosdomico har fått beställning på en komedi och går omkring i Neapel och letar efter några typer som han kan bygga sin historia på. I ett zigenarläger hittar han de båda turkiska flyktingarna Zaida och Albazar, som uppträder som spåkvinna och spåman, och den svartsjuke äkta mannen don Geronio, som låter spå sig därför att han vill veta hur han skall bemästra sin lättsinniga hustru donna Fiorella.
Prosdomico möter henne och hennes älskare Narcisco nere vid hamnen där ett fartyg med turken Selim ombord just har lagt till. Donna Fiorella och Selim blir genast intresserade av varandra och hon bjuder in honom på kaffe i sitt hus. Där överraskas de av don Geronio, men Fiorella förstår att vända situationen till sin fördel. Selim tar sig ut till zigenarkvarteret för att höra efter om spåmännen tillråder att han enleverar Fiorella. Där möter han Zaida, som älskat honom i Turkiet men fördrivits av rivaler, och till Prosdomicos förtrytelse ser det ut som om de skall återförenas, men då kommer Fiorella, förföljd av sin man. De båda kvinnorna råkar i handgemäng och Prosdomico ser med stor glädje en perfekt komedihandling utspela sig inför sina ögon.
Akt II
Prosdomico uppmanar don Geronio att ertappa Fiorella och Selim på bar gärning, men Selim går händelserna i förväg genom att begära tillstånd att köpa Fiorella, så som man gör i Turkiet. Fiorella förklarar att hon inte tål rivaler, och Zaida avstår från Selim. Intrigen får sin lösning under en maskeradbal där alla är förklädda till varandra, men till sist far Selim hem till Turkiet med Zaida och Fiorella stannar hos sin man. Prosdomica kan skriva sin komedi färdig
IN ENGLISH
- Time: 18th Century
- Place: In and around Naples
Act 1
By the sea shore near Naples
The poet Prosdocimo (baritone) is searching for a plot for a drama buffo. He meets a band of Gypsies, including the beautiful but unhappy Zaida (mezzo-soprano) and her confidant Albazar (tenor). Perhaps the Gypsies can provide some ideas? Prosdocimo’s friend, the obstinate and sometimes foolish Geronio (bass), is looking for a fortune teller to advise him on his marital problems, but the Gypsies tease him. Zaida tells Prosdocimo that she is from a Turkish harem. She and her master, Prince Selim, were in love, but jealous rivals accused her of infidelity and she had to flee for her life, accompanied by Albazar.
Nevertheless, she still loves only one man and that man is Selim. Prosdocimo knows that a Turkish prince will shortly be arriving in Italy. Perhaps he can help? Geronio’s capricious young wife Fiorilla (soprano) enters singing (in contrast to Zaida) of the joys of free and unfettered love. A Turkish ship arrives and the prince disembarks. It is Selim (bass) himself. Fiorilla is immediately attracted to the handsome Turk, and a romance rapidly develops. Narciso (tenor) appears in her pursuit. He is an ineffectual admirer of Fiorilla posing as a friend of her husband. Geronio follows, horrified to learn that Fiorilla is taking the Turk home to drink his coffee!
Geronio’s house
Fiorilla and Selim are flirting. Geronio enters timidly and Selim is initially impressed by his unexpected meekness, however Narciso noisily scolds Geronio. The domestic menage irritates Selim and he leaves after quietly arranging to meet Fiorilla again by his ship. Geronio tells Fiorilla he will not allow any more Turks – or Italians – in his house. She sweetly undermines his complaints, and then, when he softens, threatens to punish him by enjoying herself even more wildly.
The sea shore at night
Selim is waiting for Fiorilla. Instead he meets Zaida. The former lovers are shocked and delighted, and declare once more their mutual love. Narciso re-appears, followed by Fiorilla in disguise, with Geronio in pursuit. Selim confuses the veiled Fiorilla with Zaida and the two women come suddenly face to face. Fiorilla accuses Selim of betrayal. Zaida confronts Fiorilla. Geronio tells his wife to go home. There is a stormy finale.
Act 2
At an inn
Selim approaches Geronio amicably, offering to buy Fiorilla. That way Geronio can be rid of his problems and also make some money. Geronio refuses. Selim vows to steal her instead. After they leave, Fiorilla and a group of her friends appear, followed by Zaida. Fiorilla has set up a meeting between them and Selim, so that the Turk will be forced to decide between the two women. In the event he is indecisive, not wishing to lose either of them.
Zaida leaves in disgust. Selim and Fiorilla quarrel but are eventually reconciled. As the poet tells Geronio, there is going to be a party. Fiorilla will be there to meet Selim, who will be masked. Geronio should also go – disguised as a Turk! Narciso overhears this, and decides to take advantage of the situation to take Fiorilla himself, in revenge for her former indifference. Geronio laments his destiny, that he should have such a terrible, crazy wife. Albazar passes by holding a costume – for Zaida!
A ballroom with masqueraders and dancers
Fiorilla mistakes Narciso for Selim and Narciso leads her away. Meanwhile, Selim enters with Zaida, under the impression that she is Fiorilla. Geronio is in utter despair at finding two couples and two Fiorillas! Narciso and Selim both entreat their partners to leave with them. Confused and angry, Geronio attempts to stop both couples, but they eventually escape.
Back at the inn
Prosdocimo meets Geronio. They now know that Selim was with Zaida and guess that Fiorilla was with Narciso. Albazar confirms that Selim will definitely stay with Zaida. Prosdocimo advises Geronio to have his revenge on Fiorilla by pretending to divorce her and threatening to send her back to her family.
Having discovered Narciso’s deception, Fiorilla tries to find Selim, but he has already left with Zaida. She returns home only to find the divorce letter, and her belongings being removed from the house. She is devastated by shame, and promptly deserted by her friends.
The beach
Selim and Zaida are about to set sail for Turkey, while Fiorilla is looking for a boat to take her back to her home town. Geronio finds and forgives her. They are affectionately reconciled. Both couples are now reunited and Prosdocimo is delighted with his happy ending.
Turken i Italien på Det Kongelige Teater Operaen – synopsis
UPPHOVSPERSONER
Musik: Gioacchino Rossini
Text: Felice Romani
Premiär
Uruppförande: Milano, La Scala 14 augusti 1814. Svensk premiär: Stockholm ,Operan 21 april 1824
Roller och rösttyper
| Roll | Rösttyp |
|---|---|
| Albazar | tenor |
| Don Geronio | bas |
| Don Narciso | tenor |
| Donna Fiorilla | sopran |
| Prosdocimo | baryton |
| Selim | bas |
| Zaida | mezzosopran |
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