The Barber of Seville

23-year-old Gioachino Rossini completed his masterpiece IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA incredibly quickly – legend has it in just 13 days – which Rossini attributed to ‘facility and lots of instinct’. The opera, characterized by youthful energy and bold wit, has all the ingredients for comic chaos: an imprisoned young woman, her lecherous guardian and a young noble suitor. Skilfully plotting behind the scenes is Figaro, an irrepressible and inventive character in whom many have seen a resemblance to the young Rossini himself. The score fizzes with musical brilliance, from Figaro’s famous entrance aria to the frenzy of the Act I finale. This recording sees Joyce DiDonato (Rosina) bring literal meaning to the old theatrical motto Break a leg! She did just that in an earlier show but was determined to finish her commitment and was re-staged into the production to allow for the additional challenges that come when a leading lady in a lively physical role must wheel around the other performers...

Cast

Joyce DiDonato

as Rosina

Juan Diego Flórez

as Almaviva

Pietro Spagnoli

as Figaro

Ferruccio Furlanetto

as Basilio

Alessandro Corbelli

as Bartolo

Jennifer Rhys-Davies

as Berta

Changhan Lim

as Fiorello

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

as

Antonio Pappano

as Conductor

Reviews

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