Its not often I can say I have had a good laugh at the opera, but this week I laughed long and loud at the hilariously funny and fantastically performed The Italian Girl in Algiers by Gioachino Rossini at that wonderful gem the Erin Arts Centre during the 34th Mananan Opera Festival.

The action in this funny romp of an opera takes place in Algiers, in and around the palace of the Bey, a grandiose and pompous leader who’s grown bored with his current wife, Elvira, and wants to replace her with a tempestuous Italian girl.

He doesn’t know who she’ll be, but he seems to have this image in his head of a fiery young thing he’ll be able to tame, moulding her with his great prowess to his image of what he really deserves as a wife.

The Bey himself, Mustafa (a devilishly handsome David Cane), flirted insanely with the audience and his compatriots on stage with a mischievious zeal.

We should hate this man for his misogeny but love him for his ridiculousness.

Elgan Llyr Thomas, in the shoes of Lindoro, had a fine, vibrant voice that also warmed as he became his character, and Haly, sung by James Berry, was just right as the conspiratorial Captain.

The beautiful Elvira (Fiona Finsbury) and her slave and friend, Zulma (local singer Mandy Griffin) were in fine voice and were delightful in their roles.

Of course, once we meet her, the opera revolved around the diminutive but mighty Isabella, and Antonia Sotgui did her justice.

She brought off the power of this independent woman and twists, not only her stage compatriots around her finger, but also manages to win the hearts of the audience.

A wonderful evening and a really good laugh!