Luca Pettinato

Le Pantere di Algeri (The Panthers of Algiers)

Love, bravery and music: Baron Carlo di Sant'Elmo sets sail to rescue Ida from the hands of pirates in mysterious Algiers in the 1630s. A Salgari-inspired work full of heroism, passion and exotic atmosphere. Are you ready to get on board?

The heroic deed of Baron Carlo di Sant'Elmo, his love for Countess Ida di Santafiora, kidnapped by barbarian pirates, and the secret mission to rescue her in the picturesque yet dangerous Algiers of 1630: These are the elements that inspired the composer's musical depiction of Salgari's novel of the same name. The introduction lands us in the port of the city of the dreaded panthers, and the following theme describes the heroic spirit of the protagonist; at the center of the piece is the love theme - the hero's theme in mirrored inversion, like the other side of a coin: once bold and fearless, now sad and restless, full of concern for his beloved; finally, the reprise brings this exotic and adventurous piece to a close.