See/Hear
Gioachino Rossini
La Scala di Seta is a one-act comic opera written by Gioachino Rossini, with a libretto by poet Giuseppe Foppa. It received its premier in Venice, Italy in 1812. La Scala was Rossini’s sixth opera, written only two years after finishing his compositional studies. Despite being one of Rossini’s first commercial successes, the full opera is not performed nearly as often today as its overture. Hailed as a tour de force for the woodwinds and strings, it offers everything you might want from a Rossini overture: divine lyricism, death-defying speed. and pure fun.
Our first rehearsal for the Overture to La Scala took place with students from BRAVO observing. After rehearsal we asked for questions. One of the kids asked me what La Scala Di Seta was about. I hung my head in shame as I realized…
– This piece that I had been painstakingly practicing my whole life, the one that keeps oboe players up at night, the one I’m about to play for you now –
I had no idea what it was about.
The story goes something like this: Giulia has secretly married Dorvil in defiance of her tutor/landlord, Dormont. Dorvil and Guilia’s secret relationship is possible due to a Silken Ladder she lowers for him to visit her each night. Of course, Dormont has promised her to another guy, Blansac. Giulia, certain she has made the right choice in Dorvil, still does all she can to make sure that Blansac doesn't end up alone. She sets him up with her cousin Lucilla. Again the ladder comes into play as Blansac uses it to visit and eventually woo Lucilla. In the unusually happy ending, Dormont realizes he can’t fight love and everyone ends up happy. I know, an opera anomaly. Enjoy!
– Karen Wagner