The Italian Girl in Algiers is a complete delight: orchestra, singers, costumes, set, lighting, direction, everything. We expected to enjoy the music and we expected to have fun, but this production exceeds all expectations.

The singers enunciate clearly and there’s not a weak voice among them. The acting and direction are so good that people really do laugh when they’re supposed to. The set is very ingenious, in part a platform that opens up like a pop-up book to reveal a versatile and more elaborate set. In fact, this happened before the overture was done, and some of the audience applauded the set, drowning out the overture’s finale.

A bold and clever young woman outwits everyone, including the comical yet determined Bey of Algiers, who has resolved to bring her into his seraglio. All elements of the plot are aspects of this story, which is farcical, yet developed by means of very beautiful music, orchestral and vocal.

One performance remains: February 6 (Sunday, 3 pm). There’s really not a bad seat in the house, so the least expensive tickets are just as good as the rest. We are very fortunate that this wonderful production is in town. I attended the Saturday show last weekend. Don’t let the weather keep you away. If there were ever an inducement to venture forth, this is it.