Rossini in Wildbad - L’occasione fa il ladro - Opportunity Makes a Thief (Venice 1812)

The opera begins with a dramatic thunderstorm scene in an inn, reminiscent of the finale of Don Giovanni: Parmenione is dining calmly while his anxious servant Martino suffers. Parmenione is a flamboyant character, constantly disguising himself, lying, reinventing himself, manipulating, and tormenting his servant in the process. Seeking refuge from the rain, Alberto enters, on his way to meet his unknown bride. When Parmenione swaps his suitcase with that of the traveler, a ridiculous story begins. Parmenione finds a picture of a young woman and Alberto's passport and decides to steal his identity. He sets out in search of the supposed bride. However, she has her own plans and has no intention of marrying any predetermined groom. Rossini's brilliant comedy about "alternative facts" was filmed in 2017 at the Kurtheater for NAXOS and is now being rehearsed with a new cast. The conductor for the performance is once again music director Antonino Fogliani, whose fast-paced musical perfection is fitting for this crazy comedy of errors.