Grange Park Opera

The deliciously wily Rosina outsmarts the men of her household

The Barber of Seville is the perfect summer opera of wit, sparkle and romance.

Rosina must escape from the lecherous Dr Bartolo who has, more or less, imprisoned her. Her tonne of dishy admirers pool their ingenuity to deliver her from his clutches.

From the first notes of the Overture you know you’re in safe hands: each musical number builds the comic momentum with twists, turns, duets and ensembles of mad-cap humour.

Written in just three weeks, The Barber of Seville changed the course of operatic history. Rossini picks up the torch from Mozart, putting musical wit front and centre, establishing the genius of his comic timing.

Rossini, BBC Composer of the Week: Listen

Synopsis

The lovely Rosina is hidden from public gaze by her not–so–lovely guardian, Don Bartolo. He wants to marry her.

But then who wouldn’t?

Act 1: Sevilla

Count Almaviva, disguised as a poor student called Lindoro, comes to the house of Don Bartolo to serenade the beautiful Rosina.

Figaro the barber knows everything going on in town. He tells “Lindoro” that Rosina is Bartolo’s ward, not his daughter, and that Bartolo intends to marry her. Figaro devises a plan. Almaviva will disguise himself as a soldier with orders to be billeted at Bartolo’s house. Almaviva is excited.

Rosina was enchanted by the serenade and wants to meet her admirer. Bartolo appears with the music master, Don Basilio. Basilio warns Bartolo that Count Almaviva is in town and is infatuated with Rosina. Bartolo decides he must marry Rosina immediately. Basilio suggests slandering Almaviva. Figaro has overheard the plot and warns Rosina.

A drunk soldier – Almaviva in disguise – arrives. He passes Rosina a letter. Bartolo is furious and the commotion attracts a crowd.

The civil guard tries to arrest Almaviva, but he explains that is he is not a soldier but a Count. He is free to go.

Everyone, except Figaro, is puzzled.

Long Dining Interval

Act 2

Bartolo ponders on the drunk soldier: is he Almaviva’s spy?

Almaviva returns now disguised as Don Alonso, a music teacher deputising for Basilio.

“Don Alonso” fabricates a complicated scenario to throw Bartolo off the trail. With Bartolo dozing off, Almaviva and Rosina declare their love.

Figaro arrives to give Bartolo his shave. He steals the master key.

When Basilio arrives, the trio (Almaviva, Rosina and Figaro) bribe him to leave. Almaviva and Rosina plot to elope that night but Bartolo overhears them.

The housekeeper Berta comments on the crazy household.

Bartolo summons a notary to perform his marriage to Rosina and convinces her that her admirer is unfaithful.

Figaro and Almaviva climb a ladder to Rosina’s balcony and the Count reveals his true identity. Basilio is cajoled into witnessing the marriage of Rosina and Almaviva.

Bartolo arrives with soldiers, but it is too late. He accepts that he has been beaten. The others celebrate their good fortune.

Cast & Creatives

ROSINA ∙ GINGER COSTA-JACKSON – sponsored by Anthony & Carolyn Townsend
FIGARO, a barber ∙ JAMES NEWBY – sponsored by Charles & Maggie Hallatt
COUNT ALMAVIVA ∙ NICO DARMANIN
BARTOLO, physician & Rosina’s guardian ∙ SIMON BAILEY – sponsored by Julian Hardwick
BASILIO, Rosina’s music teacher ∙ JULIAN CLOSE
BERTA, housekeeper ∙ AILISH TYNAN – sponsored by Judith Lawless & Kevin Egan
POLICE SERGEANT ∙ HENRY GRANT KERSWELL
FIORELLI, Almaviva’s servant ∙ MICHAEL FERGUSON
NOTARY ∙ tbc

CONDUCTOR ∙ GIANLUCA MARCIANO
DIRECTOR ∙ BRUNO RAVELLA
DESIGNER ∙ FRANCIS O’CONNOR
LIGHTING DESIGNER ∙ TIM MITCHELL