Written at the end of Gaetano Donizetti’s life, while he was living in Paris, Rita is a delicious fusion of the Italian opera buffa and French opéra comique traditions with a story so familiar that it could be set anywhere — even Hong Kong!
Rita consists of eight musical numbers with interconnecting dialogue. Unusually for Donizetti and, indeed, most Italian opera of the period, the opera includes only three singers and no chorus, making it ideal for an intimate chamber production.
This production features a new arrangement for chamber ensemble by Marco Iannelli.
On stage in Hong Kong
Rita was performed on stage in Hong Kong at the 2020 Italia Mia Festival and the 2021 Cosmopolis Festival.
On film & cd
Rita was filmed at Hong Kong’s icon Haw Par Mansion. It was broadcast on RTHK in January 2021 and shown in Hong Kong cinema during the 2021 Italia Mia Festival. In 2022, it was screened at the Fundação Oriente in Lisbon.
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
On stage in Guangzhou
Rita was adopted by the Guangzhou Opera House and produced in the round. The critically-acclaimed production ran for 15 performances in its first season and formed part of Hong Kong 25th Anniversary cultural programme.
This version of the production is different and extraordinary, and every moment that happens on and off the stage is integrated into the plot—more than 200 listeners including me … all subtly play the role of regular customers in Rita’s Tavern, and nearly 20 staff turned into waiters and bartenders…
I feel that I am in the play. I don’t know if the play has traveled to the present, or I traveled into the play. Everything about the production goes back to the music and stays true to the spirit of the original… Faithfully presenting the music and context of the original work, the superb director, creative arrangement, professional production and in-place performance make the comedy opera full of vitality.
— Rudolph Tang, Music Weekly Wednesday
