The collaboration began in May 1827 and, by August, the music was being written. By then, the composer was aware that he was to write music for his favourite tenor Giovanni Battista Rubini and the soprano was to be Henriette Mric-Lalande. Both singers had starred in Bianca e Fernando in the original 1826 production. The strong cast also included Antonio Tamburini, a major bass-baritone of the time.