L'equivoco stravagante
Gioachino Rossini
One of Rossini's earliest operas, L’equivoco stravagante (The Bizarre Misunderstanding) has a comical plot with wonderful music. It was composed in 1811 for the Teatro del Corso in Bologna when Rossini was just 19 with an Italian libretto by Gaetano Gasbarri. Gamberotto is a peasant who has grown rich, a bourgeois gentilhomme of the Italian countryside. He has a beautiful daughter, Ernestina, whose lowly origins he trusts will be effaced by a course of philosophy. He has also prepared a match for her with Buraliccchio. But Ermanno, the tenor, young and poor, has seen Ernestina and fallen in love with her. To help her win her he has enlisted the aid of Gamberotto’s servants Rosalia and Frontino.
The third opera of the 1968 Festival, L'equivoco Stravagante was quite a hit. Rossini's early comedy has a typically convoluted comical plot with wonderful music. Directed by John Cox with designs by John Stoddart, the opera was conducted by Aldo Ceccato with a style and energy that matched the production, evident in this short excerpt from act two. On a very sad note, shortly before the rehearsals began, news arrived of the death of Renza Jotti at the age of only thirty one. She was engaged to sing Ernestina having enjoyed huge success in the 1967 production of Otello, also by Rossini. Renza was replaced at very short notice by Argentinian soprano Nelie Praganza who was extremely well received.
Cast
| Gamberotto | Richard van Allan |
| Ernestina | Nelie Praganza |
| Ermanno | Pietro Bottazzo |
| Buralicchio | Elfego Esparza |
| Frontino | Mario Carlin |
| Rosalia | Maria Casula |
Friends and Tenants of Gamberotto: Maurice Arthur, Anthony Bremner, John Carr, Terry Jenkins, Cameron Ross, Erich Vietheer
Creative Team
| Conductor | Aldo Ceccato |
| Director | John Cox |
| Set & Costume Design | John Stoddart |
The Plot
Act 1
The opera opens with the wealthy and eccentric landowner, Gamberotto, searching for a new wife. He is introduced to the beautiful and flirtatious Ernestina, who quickly catches his eye. However, Gamberotto's servant, Blasio, is also in love with Ernestina and is determined to win her over. To complicate matters further, Ernestina is secretly in love with the young artist, Ermanno, who has been living in Gamberotto's estate disguised as a gardener. Meanwhile, another suitor, the wealthy and pompous Pompeo, arrives on the scene and declares his love for Ernestina. Chaos ensues as each character tries to win over their desired partner.
Act 2
The second act opens with Gamberotto discovering Ermanno's true identity and banishing him from the estate. Ernestina, heartbroken over Ermanno's departure, decides to marry Pompeo instead. However, when Ermanno returns disguised as a Turkish prince, Ernestina realizes her true feelings and declares her love for him. In the end, all of the characters are revealed to be in disguise and their true identities are revealed. Gamberotto decides to forgive Ermanno and allows him to marry Ernestina, while Blasio finds love with the maid Isabella. The opera ends with a joyful ensemble celebrating the various marriages and happy endings.
Watch & Listen
L'equivoco Stravagante 1968
L'equivoco Stravagante 1968 | Full performance - audio only