#rossini

what: rossini's 1828 comedy/farce "le comte ory", at the glyndebourne festival in 1997

when: saturday 25 april, 21:00 EEST/18:00 UTC (check your local time)

where: kosmi

language: french with english subs

duration: 2h 20min

cast: Marc Laho, Annick Massis, Diana Montague, Ludovic Tézier, Jane Shaulis, Julien Robbins. Conducted by Andrew Davis, directed by Jerome Savary.

plot:

the music is the real highlight, not the story, but the gist is this:

notorious libertine and spoiled brat Count Ory wants to seduce the hopelessly depressed Countess Adèle

figures that the best way to do this is to first give her therapy to awaken her repressed sexuality, and then dress up as a woman to awaken her repressed bisexuality

in true Rossini fashion, there is a thunderstorm and everyone is really scared

in true Rossini fashion, half the music was borrowed from one of his own earlier operas

Portrait of soprano Reri Grist as Rosina in Rossini's opera, "The Barber of Seville." Printed on front: "Louis Melancon. Metropolitan Opera House, New York City." Stamped on back: "The use of this photograph is granted with the understanding that it is for your publication only, and will not be syndicated, rented, loaned, or used for advertising purposes without written permission. When published, the customary credit line will be appreciated with the name in full: Louis Melancon. Louis Melancon, New York, N.Y." Label on back: "Metropolitan Opera Assn., Inc. Press Dept. Reri Grist as Rosina in Rossini's 'Il barbiere di Siviglia.'"

A 36-foot-long, 3000-pound golden lion is trucked down the San Francisco Embarcadero, passing by the Bay Bridge, on its way to appearing in a 1994 production of Rossini's Otello at SF Opera (source)

“en proie à la tristesse” from le comte ory and the ensuing cabaletta: legitimate emotional crisis about making a religious vow she doesn’t know if she can keep and rejoicing when she is (allegedly) freed from it

“partir, o ciel, desio” from il viaggio a reims and the ensuing cabaletta: