In 1700 in the Italian countryside: Sandrina, a young girl, seems ready to marry Nencio, a prosperous farmer, to satisfy the wishes of her father. But, as often happens in these intrigues, Sandrina loves the poorer Nanni. Misunderstandings, disguises, devilish rhythms and the spirit of the Commedia dell’Arte, the story ends – inevitably – with a double marriage, that of Sandrina and Nanni and that of Vespina (Nanni’s sister) and Nencio.

Thus is the plot of an opera that is performed all too little and that echoes those of Mozart, Così fan tutte in particular. Vespina, when she disguises herself as a notary in the middle of this Infedeltà, is she not a distant cousin of Despina in Così?

Created in the summer of 2008 at the Festival of Aix-en-Provence, this production was a huge success, applauded as much for the perfect pitch of the characters as for the musical reading.

Thanks first and foremost to Haydn, and to his ability to move us and make us laugh. Thanks to Jérémie Rhorer and his Cercle de l’ Harmonie — one of the newest ensembles with some brilliant debuts in Mozart and Haydn— who are here for the first time at the Lille Opera. Thanks also to the staging of Richard Brunel, who works regularly with young singers in many theatres and workshops in France. It is indeed a very handsome troupe of young talents entrusted to him for this Infedeltà, with in the lead role the Maltese soprano Claire Debono.

Since 2004, Mozart has often been honoured at the Lille Opera (Die Zauberflote, Le Nozze di Figaro, etc.). Here is his master Haydn, as is only fair!

Burletta per musica in two acts. Libretto based on Marco Coltellini.
Created in Esterhàza on 26 July 1773.

Musical Direction Jérémie Rhorer (the 5th & 8th March) / Franck Markowitsch (6th & 9th March)
Stage Direction Richard Brunel
Sets Anouk Dell’Aeira
Costumes Mariane Delayre
Lights David Debrinay
Dramaturgy Catherine Ailloud-Nicolas

With
Claire Debono* Vespina
Ina Kringelborn* Sandrina
Iain Paton Filippo
Julian Prégardien* Nencio
Thomas Tatzl Nanni
(*Solists from the Académie européenne de musique)

Le Cercle de l’Harmonie

SATURDAY 6 MARCH

Public discussion with Jérémie Rhorer and the artistic team after the performance.