Philip Gossett: Rossini Scholar reflects on "Maometto II" The Santa Fe Opera 2012

Is Rossini's serious side musically even richer than his comedies? There's no need to choose, but even longtime Rossini enthusiasts will be astonished by the treasures that abound in Santa Fe's world premiere of the new critical performing edition of Maometto II, recapturing the original character of the music. A love story set against a backdrop of the Venetian colony of Negroponte, Maometto II offers Rossini at his appealing best, including show-stopping coloratura arias.