A wealthy Turkish aristocrat's arrival in a small Italian town sparks a flurry of reactions. The married women are charmed, romantic rivals are thwarted, and husbands are consumed by jealousy. These familiar comedic tropes are at the heart of Rossini's *Il Turco in Italia*, and the composer uses them with playful intent. He presents archetypal Italian comedy characters – like the charming Selim, the adventurous but home-bound Fiorilla, and her comically outdated husband Geronio – exaggerating their traits for ironic effect. This performance features the Zurich Opera House Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by Franz Welser-Most.
