Il Turco in Italia is one of Rossinis wittiest but most neglected works It is full of ingenious and freshly composed invention It is Rossinis first collaboration with Felice Romani Bellinis librettist on this opera and Romani understood perfectly Rossinis love of pastiche and parody He provided a commedia dell arte scenario that gave Rossini plenty of opportunity to mock traditions he had helped to cultivate in the first place The plot is delightfully salcious and among the many jewels in the score the duet for Geronio and Selim in which the Turk tries to persuade the ageing husband to sell his wife to him is widely considered one of the composers masterpieces
