The Barber of Seville at Sydney Opera
About the Event
Immerse yourself in the stunning architecture of Sydney's breathtaking Sydney Opera House for the ultimate concert set to awake your understanding of opera.
Beyond haircuts and beard trims, this canny barber is the city’s matchmaking maestro! Almaviva is wealthy, stealthy and head over heels. Rosina is witty, pretty and just as smitten. She’s also inconveniently betrothed. They need a plan. Time to call on: Fi‐ga‐ro! Figaro! Figaro!
Enter the friendly neighbourhood barber with wits and tricks as sharp as his razors. He sets to work to unite the young lovers in an evening of disguises and duplicity.
This rollicking, laugh‐out‐loud comedy took a young Rossini just 13 days to write. Playful energy sparkles through as many famous tunes as you can pack into two‐and‐a-half hours.
A cast of great voices and high spirits play among a marvelous set of cartoonish proportions – a world inspired by 1920s silent films, featuring a life‐size doll’s house as its centerpiece. Celebrated Australian baritone Samuel Dale Johnson returns home to make his Opera Australia debut as the titular barber. Audience favorites John Longmuir and Shanul Sharma share the role of Count Almaviva. Italian mezzo soprano Serena Malfi and Helen Sherman both play Rosina.
Practical Information
Performed in Italian with English surtitles
Cast / Production
CONDUCTOR
Daniel Smith (18 Jan–22 Feb)
Tahu Matheson (24–28 Feb)
DIRECTOR
Elijah Moshinsky
SET DESIGNER
Michael Yeargan
COSTUME DESIGNER
Dona Granata
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Howard Harrison
REVIVAL DIRECTOR
Heather Fairbairn
FIGARO
Samuel Dale Johnson
ROSINA
Serena Malfi (18 Jan–13 Feb)
Helen Sherman (15–28 Feb)
COUNT ALMAVIVA
John Longmuir (18 Jan–13 Feb)
Shanul Sharma (15–28 Feb)
DR BARTOLO
Andrew Moran
DON BASILIO
David Parkin
BERTA
Jane Ede
FIORELLO/AMBROGIO/NOTARY
Simon Meadows
Opera Australia Orchestra
Opera Australia Chorus
