Pane:Lavani:Andreae - ROSSINI: Scala di Seta

The third of the one-act farces Rossini composed for the Teatro S. Mois?�, La scala di seta \The Silken Ladder is probably the best- known, at least by name, because its overture has become one of the most popular of all Rossini's contributions to that genre, a lively 'perpetuo moto' that anticipates the energy of the comedy to follow. The secret marriage of Giulia and Dorvil goes much against the wishes of Giulia's tutor, Dormont. Each night Dorvil visits his wife by climbing up a silken ladder she lowers from her balcony. The disguises, romantic confusions and door slammings that occur in only 90 minutes are breathtaking. In the end Giulia and Dorvil reveal their secret marriage to Dormont's reluctant acceptance.