L'Italiana in Algeri went on stage at La Scala on the 4th of March 1953 and was recorded the following year in the studio set up at La Piccola Scala. It was the second title of the Rossini triptych that was to definitively assert Giulietta Simionato's success in that repertory at La Scala. The production was directed by Corrado Pavolini and gave Franco Zeffirelli his debut, who was officially the stage and costume designer but was in reality heavily involved in the directing work. This recording also offers a rare insight into the comic and theatrical creativity of a young Carlo Maria Giulini.