Rossini's timeless comedy L'italiana in Algeri is being performed in Berlin for the first time in 14 years - with a young ensemble of singers in the sound of historical performance practice.

Gioachino Rossini's opera is one of the composer's best-known pieces and has lost none of its exciting freshness and energy since its premiere in 1813. Despite this worldwide popularity, Berlin audiences have not been able to experience this opera on stage for 14 years. An international ensemble of young singers is finally putting an end to this state of affairs. The title role features mezzo-soprano Hannah Ludwig, whose voice the New York Times describes as "chocolaty and big, but with focus and agility," can be heard in Berlin for the first time. Another special feature of this semi-staged production is that it is the first time that a Rossini opera has been presented in Berlin according to the insights and practices of historically informed performance, thus providing Rossini connoisseurs and novices alike with a rousing and inspiring evening with the immortal music of the "Swan of Pesaro“.

Isabella: Hannah Ludwig, mezzo-soprano
Mustafà: David Oštrek, bass
Lindoro: Miloš Bulajić, tenor
Taddeo: Manuel Walser, baritone
Elvira: Polly Ott, soprano
Zulma: Laura Murphy, mezzo-soprano
Haly: Adam Kutny, baritone
Neuer Männerchor Berlin
Adrian Emans, choir director
Eroica Berlin
Jakob Lehmann, conductor
Dennis Krauß, stage director and stage design
Pauline Heitmann, Costume Design
Reto Müller, supertitles

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Eroica Berlin is a young Berlin chamber orchestra founded by Jakob Lehmann in 2015. The unfiltered transmission of emotions and the incorporation of the insights of historical performance practice unite the ensemble, as does the conviction that in today's event and performance culture, the music itself and its content must remain the focus. Eroica Berlin gives guest performances on Europe's leading stages, works with renowned soloists and was accepted into Neustart Kultur's ensemble funding programme in 2022.