THE OPERA
A city under siege. A forbidden romance. Concealed identities.
Set during a time of consequential collisions between the Eastern and Western worlds that lead to seismic shifts in world power felt to this day, Rossini’s ultra-rare opera is ripe for re-examination by today’s audience. It was deemed too unconventional in its time, but to the modern ear, the at-first familiarly bel canto structure and sound eventually gives way to a powerfully emotional experience. One of the composer’s most fascinatingly complex serious operas, Maometto II makes its debut on the Washington Concert Opera stage at last.
THE CAST
*Indicates WCO debut
Ashraf Sewailam (Maometto II)
Bruce Sledge (Paolo Erisso)
Leah Crocetto (Anna Erisso)
Elizabeth DeShong (Calbo)
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OPERA GEMS ONLINE
Click below to hear WCO co-founder, Peter Russell, discuss this Rossini rarity. This recording is from the Opera Gems Online event held via Zoom on October 28, 2021. Check out the Beyond the Stage section of our website to learn more about future Opera Gems events and much more!