The Madrid coliseum presents 14 performances of Rossini's comic opera between July 3 and 21, under the stage direction of Damiano Michieletto and the musical direction of Giacomo Sagripanti.
The Teatro Real in Madrid is preparing to host one of the most popular operas in the repertoire: The Barber of Seville, by Gioachino Rossini. The capital's coliseum has scheduled 14 performances between July 3 and 21, 2027, in a new production that promises to be agile, fresh, and full of humour. The stage direction is by the Italian Damiano Michieletto, while the baton is held by Giacomo Sagripanti leading the Teatro Real's Resident Orchestra and Choir.
The production, which premiered in co-production with the Opéra national de Paris, sets the action against the backdrop of a rotating facade of an apartment block, a scenic device that adds dynamism to the constant entanglements of the plot. This staging aims to be in tune with the dizzying pace of a score that Rossini composed at just 24 years old and which has been performed continuously in major theatres around the world since its premiere in 1816.
The cast features an ensemble of internationally renowned voices, with several singers alternating in the leading roles throughout the performances. Thus, the Count of Almaviva will be portrayed by René Barbera, Pietro Adaini, and Dave Monaco; Rosina by Marina Viotti, Isabel Leonard, and Olga Syniakova; and the charismatic barber Figaro by Andrzej Filończyk, Florian Sempey, and Germán Olvera. The rest of the cast includes Misha Kiria, Nicola Alaimo, and Pablo Ruiz as Bartolo; Roberto Tagliavini, Maharram Huseynov, and Alejandro López as Don Basilio; Josep-Ramón Olivé as Fiorello; and María José Moreno and Lauren Randolph as Berta.
The plot of The Barber of Seville is well known: the Count of Almaviva, aided by the ingenious barber Figaro, devises a plan to win over Rosina, a young woman living under the strict watch of her guardian Bartolo, who intends to marry her to seize her fortune. Amidst disguises, misunderstandings, and comedic situations, love ultimately triumphs thanks to Figaro's cleverness. The opera is performed in Italian with English and Spanish surtitles, allowing the audience to follow the plot with ease.
For subscribers and fans in the Community of Madrid, this summer season offers an opportunity to enjoy one of the most entertaining titles in the lyrical genre in a top-notch setting. The Teatro Real, which first premiered this work in 1850, now revives a production that has already enjoyed success in Paris. The performances are spread over nearly three weeks, with various casts allowing for the appreciation of different vocal nuances.
The musical direction is by Giacomo Sagripanti, an Italian conductor experienced in the bel canto repertoire. The set design is by Paolo Fantin, the costumes by Silvia Aymonino, and the lighting by Fabio Barettin. The choir direction is undertaken by José Luis Basso. Together, they form a high-calibre artistic team for a production that embraces modernity without losing the essence of the work.
Tickets are already on sale through the official channels of the Teatro Real. Prices vary according to the location and performance, with discounts for those under 30 and unemployed individuals. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance, given the high demand that performances of this title usually attract at the Madrid coliseum.
You may also like
