Rossini’s Adina is a one-act farsa sentimentale or semiseria set in a seraglio in Baghdad where we find the Caliph determined to marry Adina who is also loved by Selimo. To this standard story Rossini brought an unexpected psychological depth, augmented by coloratura arias and male choruses of richness and daring. However, for unknown reasons he omitted a vital Terzetto, which has made the work problematic to fully realise in performance. This recording employs the Terzetto from Giovanni Pacini’s opera La schiava in Bagdad, a solution first proposed in 1861, much to the benefit of the opera’s pacing.

In 2015 Sara Blanch made her debut at Rossini in Wildbad as Elvira in L’Italiana in Algeri and as Aurelia in Lindpaintner’s Il vespro siciliano and won the Audience Prize of the Bel Canto Academy. Bachtrack wrote, ‘Sara Blanch sang Marie with a brilliant, silvery soprano, capable of extremely easy, unfaltering high and super-high notes, full of harmonics. Her interpretation was funny, sweet, and engaging’.

Venezuelan tenor César Arrieta has been a guest artist at Rossini in Wildbad (2015–16). He has appeared in Sigismondo (866040304), Demetrio e Polibio (866040506) and Lindpaintner’s Il vespro siciliano (866044043). Bass Shi Zong’s awards include First Prize at the Deiva Marina International Vocal Competition and the Special Prize at the Premio Boni International Vocal Competition.

Luciano Acocella directs Rossini’s Adelaide di Borgogna on 866040102: ‘The live recording is fully acceptable, choral and orchestral forces excellent’, wrote MusicWeb International.

Cast:
- Il Califo: Emmanuel Franco (baritone)
- Adina: Sara Blanch (soprano)
- Selimo: César Arrieta (tenor)
- Alì: Aaron Godfrey-Mayes (tenor)
- Mustafà: Shi Zong (bass)