I/3

L'equivoco stravagente

[The Absurd Misunderstanding]

Dramma giocoso in two acts by
GAETANO GASBARRI

First performance:
Bologna – Teatro del Corso
26 October 1811

Critical Edition by
MARCO BEGHELLI and STEFANO PIANA

FONDAZIONE ROSSINI PESARO 2002
[rental only]

CHARACTERS:
ERNESTINA, daughter of Gamberotto, who has literary pretensions, contralto
GAMBEROTTO, a peasant elevated to nobility, buffo
BURALICCHIO, a rich and foolish young man, betrothed to Ernestina, buffo
ERMANNO, a poor young man, Ernestina's lover, tenor
ROSALIA, Ernestina's chambermaid , mezzosoprano
FRONTINO, Gamberotto's shrewd valet and Ermanno's confidant, tenor
Male Chorus of peasants, literary men, soldiers, servants

The scene is set in an old castle belonging to Gamberotto

Instrumentation: 1 Flute, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons, 2 Horns, 2 Trumpets, Timpani, Catuba (Bass Drum), Cymbals, Side Drum, Strings, Continuo
Performance time: 3h

L'equivoco stravagante is Rossini's first full-length comic opera. Ernestina defies her father, Gamberotto, to avoid marrying the rich but stupid Buralicchio by spreading a rumor that she is a eunuch in disguise, a deserter from the army. Meanwhile Ermanno, with the help of the servants Rosalia and Frontino, attempts to woo Ernestina by pretending to be her new tutor. When the credulous Buralicchio reports the supposed deserter, Ernestina is put in prison. With the help of Ermanno, she manages to escape, disguised as a soldier. The various ruses are explained in a finale of general mirth mixed with amazement: Buralicchio resigns himself to looking for another wife, and all will live happily ever after.

Although the opera was withdrawn from the stage after only three performances because of trouble with the censors, Rossini found several situations in it congenial: the heroci aria for Ernestina as a soldier was the prototype for a series of similar pieces. Rossini reused

Back to Start | Back to Rossini menu | Back to Available titles