Giovanni Paisiello enjoyed a considerable international reputation during much of his career, with 80 or more operas that presented a challenge to those of Mozart in Vienna. La finta amante was composed during Paisiello’s time at the Russian court of Catherine II and it soon became a triumph throughout Europe for its elegant and luminous music. With just three characters, captured forcefully by Paisiello’s innate sense of theatre, the comedy revolves around Camilletta who, alongside her boyfriend Gelino, deceives the older but wealthy Don Girone in games that inevitably lead to dangerous consequences.

Stefano Parisse’s concert activities as a pianist and conductor reflect the vastness of his musical interests, seeing him tackle programmes ranging from the Renaissance to the 20th century, appearing regularly on Italian radio and television. In 2017 he conducted the first Russian performance in modern times of La finta amante by Giovanni Paisiello at the St Petersburg Philharmonic Michael Glinka Chamber Hall.

Cast:
- Camiletta: Elena Tsvetkova (soprano)
- Gelino: Daniele De Prosperi (tenor)
- Don Girone: Antoine Bernheim (baritone)