Il Barbiere di Siviglia

Story & Setting:

Il Barbiere di Siviglia is an adaptation of the first of Beaumarchais’ class-commentary “Figaro” plays, and is set before Le Marriage de Figaro, which Mozart had used for his own masterpiece. The title character is enlisted by the Count Almaviva to help woo the clever and beautiful Rosina away from her guardian and would-be husband, the comical, old Dr. Bartolo.

Opera Notes:

Rossini’s work shines with spirited humor, dazzling coloratura, and plenty of physical comedy. The Met describes its current staging as “light on its feet, with mobile sets that allow the comic action to swirl from stage to audience and back again.” Back on stage in its full Italian version this season, this opera has something for every operagoer young or old.

Sung in

Italian

Length:

3 hours & 20 minutes

Giaochino Rossini (1792-1868)

Watch/Listen

“Largo al factotum” (Peter Mattei)

Met Opera (current production)

“Zitti zitti, piano piano” (Christopher Maltman, Isabel Leonard, Lawrence Brownlee)