Giaochino Rossini
(1792-1868)

Overture to L’Italiana in Algeri

Composed 1813

Few composers could match Gioachino Rossini when it came to writing overtures that dazzle with humor, energy, and panache. His overtures have become beloved concert pieces, known for their effervescent spirit, sharp contrasts, and irresistible build-ups. Among the most entertaining is the Overture to The Italian Girl in Algiers, composed in a matter of weeks and premiered in Venice on May 22, 1813, when Rossini was just 21 years old.

By that point, Rossini had already premiered the successful opera Tancredi earlier that year, and The Italian Girl in Algiers confirmed his status as the rising star of Italian opera. Though Rossini would go on to make important contributions to serious opera, his comic works—The Barber of Seville, The Italian Girl in Algiers, and others—remain his most enduring. Their clever plots, vibrant characters, and especially their overtures, have long outlived their origins on the operatic stage and continue to inspire performers and audiences around the world today.

The overture begins with a deceptive calm: pizzicato strings and a sudden orchestral jolt set the tone for the mischief to come. A plaintive oboe solo follows, tinged with exoticism to match the opera’s North African setting. Then the allegro bursts forth, led by woodwinds in playful, galloping lines. Rossini’s signature crescendo—a repeating figure that builds steadily in volume and intensity—makes several appearances, each more thrilling than the last.

Colorful, witty, and rhythmically propulsive, the overture reflects the opera’s farcical plot involving shipwrecks, harems, mistaken identities, and a clever Italian heroine outwitting a blustering bey. Its infectious melodies and theatrical flair have made it a favorite of concertgoers, musicians, and cartoon soundtracks alike. In less than ten minutes, Rossini gives us a miniature comedy—no words needed—brimming with joy, charm, clever timing, and sheer musical fun for all listeners.   
 

Instrumentation – one flute, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, timpani, and strings

Duration – 9 minutes

~ Kenneth Bean
Georg and Joyce Albers-Schonberg Assistant Conductor
Princeton Symphony Orchestra