Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) by Rossini, Royal Opera House

The Barber of Seville returns to the Royal Opera House this fall

Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia - supposedly written in just thirteen days - is one of opera’s comic masterpieces, full of catchy tunes, and a high-energy, feel-good plot. It’s a quintessential opera buffa, a style of comic opera, which originated in 18th century Italy, and was designed to appeal to the masses by depicting the lives and predicaments of ordinary people.  

In this opera, based on a play by the French writer Pierre Beaumarchais, the Barber of Seville is the charming, if cocky Figaro (no sign of modesty, as he sings “Bravo Figaro, Bravo Bravissimo” in the famous aria “Largo al Factotum”), who is called upon by Count Almaviva to help him woo the beautiful Rosina away from the hands of her wicked guardian Bartolo.

All the archetypes of commedia dell’arte are here - the devious servant, the hapless lovers, and the foolish old man. There’s romance, wit, trickery and the inevitable happy ending. But Beaumarchais, the revolutionary, also gives the play a radical edge, making Figaro, the servant, far smarter than everyone else, including his master.

Today, Il Barbiere is among the most popular operas in the world. The premiere in Rome in 1816, though, was a disaster. When a singer tripped on a loose board and a cat wandered on to the stage, the audience booed so loudly that they drowned out the music. But after that ignominious start, subsequent performances were received with standing ovations, and Rossini became an operatic superstar.

This production is directed by Patrice Caurier and Moshe Leiser, who have been collaborating for more than thirty years and considered opera's very own Gilbert and GeorgeIt. First staged in 2005 and described by one critic as ‘wild and wacky’, Barber is known for its magnificently colourful costumes and a set that rises and tilts from side to side. Unhappily for Joyce di Donato, who starred in the 2009 revival, she broke her ankle mid-aria, and had to finish the run in a wheelchair. Hopefully, this time the drama will be less painful for the singers - Serena Malfi, as Rosina, fresh from a turn in Cosi Fan Tutte directed by Daniel Barenboim at La Scala; and honey-toned bel canto tenor Michele Angelini as Almaviva (both newcomers to Covent Garden). Sought-after, continent hopping American baritone Lucas Meachem will play Figaro, the titular role. It’s conducted by Sir Mark Elder CBE, music director of the Hallé Orchestra.