Overview
Introduction
L'equivoco stravagante (Italian pronunciation: [leˈkwiːvoko stravaˈɡante]; The Curious Misunderstanding) is an operatic dramma giocoso in two acts by Gioachino Rossini to an Italian libretto by Gaetano Gasbarri. It was Rossini's first attempt at writing a full two-act opera.
Performance history
L'equivoco stravagante was first performed at the Teatro del Corso, Bologna, on 26 October 1811. It was only performed three times before the police closed the production down, possibly because the text touched on the subject of army desertion. The music of the overture was subsequently lost.
The opera was first produced in the United States (in English translation as The Bizarre Deception) by the Bronx Opera in January 2004.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast 26 October 1811 (Conductor: Giuseppe Boschetti ) |
|---|---|---|
| Gamberotto, a rich farmer | bass | Domenico Vaccani |
| Ernestina, literature-loving daughter of Gamberotto | contralto | Marietta Marcolini |
| Buralicchio, wealthy young man, promised to Ernestina | bass | Paolo Rosich |
| Ermanno, poor young man, in love with Ernestina | tenor | Tommaso Berti |
| Rosalia, Ernestina's maid' | mezzo-soprano | Angiola Chies |
| Frontino, Gamberotto's servant and confidant of Ermanno | tenor | Giuseppe Spirito |
Synopsis
- Place: Italy
- Time: Early 19th Century
Ermanno loves Ernestina, who is attracted to the rich, but foolish, Buralicchio. Ermanno's scheming results in Ernestina being arrested on suspicion of having deserted from the army (and really being a man in disguise), but he rescues her, and all ends happily.
