La gazza ladra (The Thieving Magpie) marked a culmination of the convergence of serious and comic elements in Rossini’s work. The result is an ideal hybrid: a tragic opera with a happy ending that rises to the status of true opera seria. With its outstanding dramatic and musical qualities, it remains one of Rossini’s greatest and most successful operas, a constant presence in the repertoire since its triumphant 1817 première in Milan.

This performance is conducted by Alberto Zedda, who made his conducting début in 1956, produced the first critical edition of La gazza ladra, and is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s foremost authorities on the operas of Rossini.

Alberto Zedda has produced critical editions of operas, oratorios and cantatas, with particular attention to Rossini and music of the first half of the nineteenth century. He has served as director of Italian repertory at The New York City Opera and has been a member of the Editorial Committee of the Rossini Foundation since its establishment.

He is currently director of the Pesaro Rossini Opera Festival and Honorary President of the German Rossini Society. He is probably the most experienced expert on and conductor of Rossini of our time.

Cast:
- Lucia: Luisa Islam-Ali-Zade (mezzo-soprano)
- Ninetta: Maria Jose Moreno (soprano)
- Pippo: Marianna Rewerski (alto)
- Giannetto: Kenneth Tarver (tenor)
- Isacco: Stefan Cifolelli (tenor)
- Antonio: Pablo Cameselle (tenor)
- Fabrizio Vingradito: Giulio Mastrototaro (bass)
- Frenando Villabella: Bruno Pratico (bass)
- Gottardo: Lorenzo Regazzo (bass)
- Giorgio: Maurizio Lo Piccolo (bass)