Rossini's vocally dazzling comedy stars bel canto sensation Juan Diego Florez in the title role of this Met premiere production. He vies with mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, in the trouser role of Isolier, for the love of the lonely Countess Adele, sung by soprano Diana Damrau. Bartlett Sher, director of the Met's hit productions of The Barber of Seville and Les Contes D'Hoffmann, describes the world of the opera as, "a place where love is dangerous. People get hurt. That can be very funny and very painful. Rossini captures both-with the most beautiful love music Rossini ever wrote."