The Barber of Seville (Il Barbiere Di Siviglia)

Synopsis

Il barbiere di Siviglia. A young English aristocrat arrives in Seville to woo the lovely Rosina. However, she is being pursued by an unscrupulous older man, Bartolo and it is only with the ingenious help of the quick thinking barber, Figaro, that the situation is rescued.

Our Review:

6 July 2009

Exactly a month after I had been so drained by a monochrome Lulu, I was back at the Royal Opera for another first night conducted by music director Antonio Pappano. Ah, what a difference not only a month, but also a witty use of colour can bring – for this first revival of Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier’s production of Rossini’s melodramma buffa Il barbiere di Siviglia.

It’s two-and-a-half years since this, the third of the directorial pairs’ Rossini trilogy here (following Il turco in Italia and La cenerentola) was first seen and it is certainly the most spirited and colourful of the three. From the off, under a looming new moon, humour is to the fore, with Count Almaviva’s accompanying band, dressed as orchestral musicians, complete with instruments (including a double bass), clambering over the precipitous rake of the set.

Presumably the timing of this revival was determined by the amassing of a stellar cast...

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Latest User Review

liz - 8 July 2009:

Applause was definitely not orchestrated. This review is very poor. Anyone could write it - what are the writer's credentials? Did ROH give him free stalls seats to do it? If so, disgraceful. Florez, too much forte? Next thing he'll be telling us is thst Giordani sings too softly....

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