Cimarosa: l'Italiana in Londra - Oper Frankfurt (2021) [Blu-ray]

L’Italiana in Londra was Domenico Cimarosa’s first international triumph, thrilling audiences all over Europe after its premiere in 1778. It later became eclipsed by the even bigger success of Il matrimonio segreto however, and has become a rarity on stage today. Set in a London hotel, this cheerful ‘Intermezzo in musica’ has cleverly crafted arias, duets and ensembles that drive the plot along, the story being one of thwarted love, quarrels and misunderstandings. L’Italiana in Londra has been summed up by director R.B. Schlather as ‘incredibly charming and sophisticated ... demanding, dark, dirty and very funny ... an impeccable rom-com.’

The music for this production is led by internationally sought-after conductor Leo Hussain, who returns to Frankfurt where he made his debut in 2010–11 with Ravel’s L’Heure espagnole and Manuel de Falla’s La vida breve, which in turn was followed by Weinberg’s Die Passagierin. Hussain’s DVD recordings include acclaimed productions of Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia for Opus Arte, Massenet’s Thaïs for Unitel Edition, and a recent disc release of Lortzing’s Der Waffenschmied on Capriccio.

American director R.B. Schlather also returns to Frankfurt, where he made his European debut with Handel’s Tamerlano in 2019–20. He has made a name for himself with his ability to involve himself closely with the characters, and a predilection for Baroque music. This production is a genuine collaboration between Hussain and Schlather, who both lean into Cimarosa’s clever observations of national stereotypes, making the jokes in this opera as funny today as they were centuries ago.

‘...the Frankfurt “Italiana” is entertainment theatre in the best sense of the word: wonderfully played, beautifully sung and staged in a hilarious way’ – Bernd Zegowitz, BNN

‘This production, Schlather’s second for Oper Frankfurt, is a runaway success and a rare delight … Let’s hope it remains in Frankfurt’s repertoire for years to come’ – Opera Canada