The story of Armida had already inspired around 70 composers by the time Rossini took it on both as an opportunity to measure himself against his colleagues, and as a special role for soprano Isabella Colbran with whom he had recently started a relationship. The narrative of Armida sees the arrival of a beautiful noblewoman at a Crusaders’ camp, asking them for help and protection. She claims that her throne has been usurped by the evil Idraote. However, she is in fact the sorceress Armida in disguise – and secretly in love with the heroic Rinaldo. This acclaimed Rossini in Wildbad production was admired for its ‘near magical casting’ (Interlude.hk).