Rita is a small one-act musical gem that Donizetti composed in expectation of a new Parisian assignment. Once again – as in Così fan tutte – disguises, deception and jealousy return to enliven the plot of the opera. The brilliant plot conceals a new reflection on the relationship between the sexes and the stereotypical customs of the eighteenth century. Again, the gaze is between the critical and the ironic, and the Pleasure declined by Piccolo Opera Festival 2025 is once again a pretext for a sometimes indulgent, sometimes critical and historical view of the cross-section of a society made up of stereotypes, classism and labels.

A new production of the Piccolo Opera Festival, Rita is staged July 9 at Palazzo Lantieri and July 11 at Dobrovo Castle with Anna Etusko Tsuri directing (coming to Dobrovo thanks to the support of Eu Japan Fest) and music direction by Jimmy Chang.