The Mistress of the Mezzaluna

While the culinarily inclined may think a mezzaluna is an instrument used in the kitchen for chopping herbs, in AVA’s current production of L’italiana in Algeri the mezzaluna is one of the most distinctive and unique instruments in the orchestra.  The tall, ornate, rhythm instrument will be seen and heard throughout the opera’s performance during its AVA debut.

Martha Hitchins of the AVA Opera Orchestra is playing the mezzaluna in L’italiana in Algeri
(running in Center City, Haverford and Warrington through November 22). This isn’t her first time striking a mezzaluna; she first played it on stage during a performance of L’italiana in Alergi with what was then known as the Opera Company of Philadelphia (now Opera Philadelphia). Stefano Vizioli, the director of that performance, enjoyed the instrument so much that he had her play the overture on stage in front of the curtain. “I looked down and was afraid of falling into the pit; I’m so glad that didn’t happen!” she said.

The mezzaluna, also known as the Turkish crescent, originates from the Middle East and is made from a sturdy pole embellished with bells. Hardly two of these instruments are alike. This instrument was a feature in the band of the Sultan’s guard in Turkey from the 15^th-19^th century, and can also be seen in some modern operatic performances. Many composers, including Mozart and Beethoven, began incorporating Turkish flavor into their music, where the mezzaluna could be seen and heard.

This particular mezzaluna came from Turin, Italy in 2000, and arrived in Philadelphia unadorned, where it was declared by other orchestra members that it needed many more ‘plumes’. Ms. Hitchins, after learning that many mezzalunas are adorned with horse hairs on each side, ran around Philadelphia looking for this final pièce de résistance. “I spoke with Robert Driver [director of the then-Opera Company of Philadelphia] about this decoration,” she said. “He was amused by my request, and the hair you see here is from one of his daughter’s horses”.

When she heard that AVA was doing a production of L’italiana in Algeri, Ms. Hitchins immediately knew that the mezzaluna had to be included in the performance. Martha credits (AVA alum) Michael Eberhard, Artistic Administrator of Opera Philadelphia, for loaning the mezzaluna for this show.

While is it not featured in every number in the opera, it certainly adds flavor and flare when it is present. And it is undoubtedly hard to miss. Martha has had a number of people ask her about this unusual instrument after performances, and she expects it to happen again.

 “It’s a lot of fun to play; I feel like ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ playing this instrument,” Martha says.

Of course, here at AVA, she’s better known as the “Mistress of the Mezzaluna”.

Tickets to hear the mezzaluna and see AVA's production of L'italiana in Algeri are available here.

Camille Mola is a Delaware County native and a recent Penn State University graduate, where she studied public relations. There, she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority and was involved with the Penn State Dance Marathon (THON). She is excited to intern with AVA this season and to expand her love and knowledge of music.