Opera Southwest's Ali Baba

See an interpretation of the opera composed by Giovanni Bottesini.

Giovanni Bottesini's Ali Baba – Restored to Life at Opera Southwest!

With a libretto based on “Alì Babà and the Forty Thieves,” the well-known and lively story from One Thousand and One Nights,  Alì Babà was composed by Giovanni Bottesini, an Italian composer and double bass virtuoso, known as the “Paganini of the bass.”

The opera was premiered in 1871 in London, receiving considerable acclaim and numerous performances. However, later the score was lost and the opera has not been heard in well over a century. As with Opera Southwest’s Amleto (Hamlet) project, Maestro Anthony Barrese has reconstructed the score from the composer’s original manuscript, and Opera Southwest will give the work its modern American premiere. Great story, great music, great performers!

CAST

Ali Baba / Ashraf Sewailam

Delia / Monica Yunus

Nadir / Christopher Bozeka

Aboul Hassan / Kevin Thompson

Orsocane / Darren Stokes

Morgiana / Laurel Semerdjian

Conductor / Anthony Barrese

Director/ Foad Faridzadeh

Running time: 3 hours

-English translations projected above the stage for all operas-