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The Barber of Seville Rossini
–Overview
WNO’s much-loved production partners wonderfully with Rossini’s witty and expressive melodies.
With great regret, we announce that WNO’s Autumn 2020 tour is cancelled due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
It has become clear in recent weeks that it will be impossible for us to prepare for, rehearse and stage any large-scale production over the summer that would enable us to open in Cardiff on 12 September. We also know by talking to our venue partners that it is increasingly unlikely they will be open to allow any large-scale productions to take place during the autumn.
This announcement affects our planned productions of The Barber of Seville and Jenufa, with all performances cancelled in: Cardiff, Plymouth, Bristol, Birmingham, Llandudno and Southampton. We are now making plans for bringing both productions into WNO seasons over the next couple of years, so we hope audiences will have an opportunity to see them before too long.
If you have booked tickets for any of these productions, you will hear directly from the venue when they are able to do so. All these venues are dealing with a backlog of cancelled tours and it may be some time before you hear from them. Please do not contact the venues directly while they work through this.
We had already taken the decision to postpone the world premiere of Will Todd’s new opera, Migrations, by 12 months – this will now be part of our planned Autumn 2021 Season.
Count Almaviva has fallen in love with Dr Bartolo’s ward Rosina, but the lecherous Bartolo has other ideas and plans to keep her for himself. Almaviva enlists the help of local barber, Figaro, to outwit his plan, and through a series of comical events and deception Figaro takes on the role of matchmaker. Will he save the day and true love prevail?
Welsh National Opera’s much-loved production of The Barber of Seville – set around a traditional Spanish piazza – partners wonderfully with Rossini’s witty and expressive melodies. With an unforgettable score including Figaro’s Aria, this is the perfect feel-good opera.
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Approximately two hours 50 minutes with one interval
Sung in Italian, with English and Welsh surtitles
Under 16s
£5 when accompanied by a full price adult tickets (subject to availability)
Ages 16 – 29
Tickets for £10 (subject to availability). Not available on top two or bottom price tickets
Cast & Creative
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Synopsis
Outside Dr Bartolo’s house, Count Almaviva (disguised as Lindoro, a student) serenades Rosina. Local barber Figaro arrives and tells Almaviva that Rosina is kept locked away as Bartolo hopes to marry her himself to get her money. The Count and Figaro make plans to get into the house.
Lindoro’s voice has captured Rosina’s heart. Figaro encourages Rosina to write a letter to ‘Lindoro’, promising to deliver it.
Almaviva arrives disguised as a soldier. He slips Rosina a letter, but the situation escalates, bringing the police. His arrest is prevented when he surreptitiously reveals his rank.
Almaviva re-enters the house disguised as ‘Don Alonso’, apprentice of Don Basilio, who he claims has fallen ill. To gain Bartolo’s trust, Don Alonso shows him Rosina’s letter to Almaviva. Figaro arrives to shave Bartolo. Don Basilio appears, but is persuaded that he is ill and must leave. Rosina and ‘Lindoro’ plan to run away. Bartolo overhears them and flies into a rage.
Bartolo tells Rosina that ‘Lindoro’ is an agent for Almaviva, who wants to marry her for money. Overwhelmed, she agrees to marry Bartolo. Figaro and Almaviva sneak in and Almaviva reveals his true identity. Basilio arrives with the notary, and is bribed to witness Almaviva’s marriage to Rosina leaving Bartolo obliged to admit defeat and join in the celebrations.