Behind the beaded curtain of this wacky harem is Rossini’s effervescent comedy, The Italian Girl in Algiers. Vivica Genaux (Cinderella 2002) ignites the stage in her signature role as feisty Isabella – reincarnated as an Amelia Earhart-style aviatrix of the 1930s. From the moment she crash-lands on the Algerian coast, we know she’ll outfox the gullible Mustafà – and rescue her beloved Lindoro. With tenor William Burden as Lindoro, Earle Patriarco (Sharpless in Madama Butterfly 2007) as the bumbling Taddeo, and – in his Pittsburgh debut – rising Italian bass Paolo Pecchioli as Mustafà.

Good for the Tuesday, May 5, 2009 performance only.  Subject to availability.  Request for tickets must be received two weeks prior to performance date.